1 Why do You stand afar off, O Jehovah? Will You hide in times of distress?
2 The wicked in his pride persecutes the lowly; let them be caught in the plots that they have devised.
3 For the wicked boasts of his hearts desire, and blesses those who plunder, whom Jehovah has spurned.
4 Through the pride of his countenance the wicked do not seek after God; God is not in all his schemes.
5 His ways are always twisted; Your judgments are high, out of his sight. As for all his enemies, he snorts at them.
6 He has said in his heart, I shall not be moved; from generation to generation I shall not be in adversity!
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are trouble and wickedness.
8 He sits in the lurking places of the villages; in the secret places he murders the innocent; his eyes are hidden against the unfortunate ones.
9 He lies in wait secretly, like a lion in his den. He lies in wait to catch the poor; he catches the poor when he draws him into his net.
10 He lies low and crouches, and the poor unfortunate ones have fallen by his might.
11 He has said in his heart, the Mighty God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see it!
12 Arise, O Jehovah! O Mighty God, lift up Your hand! Forget not the lowly poor.
13 Why have the wicked spurned God? He has said in his heart, You will not investigate.
14 But You have seen it, for You pay attention to trouble and provocation; to repay it with Your hand. The poor commits himself to You; You are the Helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and the evil one; investigate his wickedness, until You find no more.
16 Jehovah is King forever and ever; the nations have perished out of His land.
17 Jehovah, You have heard the desire of the lowly; You will prepare their heart, You will cause Your ear to hear,
18 to vindicate the fatherless and the oppressed, so that the man of the earth may terrify no more.