1Why do you stand afar off, O Yehovah? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2In the pride of the wicked the poor is hotly pursued; Let them be taken in the devices that they have conceived.
3For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire, And the covetous renounces, yes, spurns Yehovah.
4The wicked, in the pride of his countenance, says, He will not require it. All his thoughts are, There is no God.
5His ways are firm at all times; Your judgments are far above out of his sight: As for all his adversaries, he puffs at them.
6He says in his heart, I shall not be moved; To all generations I shall not be in adversity.
7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression: Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.
8He sits in the lurking places of the villages; In the secret places he murders the innocent; His eyes are secretly set against the helpless.
9He lurks in secret as a lion in his covert; He lies in wait to catch the poor: He catches the poor, when he draws him into his net.
10He crouches, he bows down, And the helpless fall by his strong ones.
11He says in his heart: God has forgotten; He hides his face, he will never see it.
12Arise, O Yehovah; O God, lift up your hand: Do not forget the poor.
13Why does the wicked spurn God, And say in his heart, You will not require it?
14You have seen it; for you behold mischief and spite, to requite it with your hand: The helpless commits himself to you; You have been the helper of the fatherless.
15Break the arm of the wicked; And as for the evil man, seek out his wickedness till you find none.
16Yehovah is King forever and ever: The nations have perished out of his land.
17Yehovah, you have heard the desire of the meek: You will prepare their heart, you will cause your ear to hear;
18To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, That man who is of the earth may be terrible no more.