1Why do you stand far off, O LORD? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2In his pride the wicked man hunts down the poor. Let them be caught in the schemes they have planned.
3For the wicked man boasts of what his heart desires. He blesses the greedy, whom the LORD hates.
4The wicked man is too proud to seek after God. God is not in any of his thoughts.
5His ways always bring grief. Your judgments are far above him, out of his sight. As for all his enemies, he blows at them in scorn.
6He has said in his heart, "I will not be moved. I will never be in trouble."
7His mouth is full of cursing and lies and fraud. Under his tongue is trouble and evil.
8He sits waiting in hiding near the villages. In secret places he murders the innocent. His eyes watch in secret for the helpless.
9He lies in wait in secret, like a lion in his den. He lies in wait to catch the poor. He catches the poor when he drags him into his net.
10He crouches down low, and the poor fall because of his strength.
11He has said in his heart, "God has forgotten. He hides his face. He will never see it."
12Rise up, O LORD. O God, lift up your hand. Do not forget the humble.
13Why does the wicked man despise God? He has said in his heart, "You will not call me to account."
14But you have seen it. You look at trouble and spite, to repay it with your hand. The poor man trusts himself to you. You are the helper of the fatherless.
15Break the arm of the wicked and evil man. Search out his wickedness until you find none.
16The LORD is King for ever and ever. The nations have perished out of his land.
17LORD, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will make their heart ready. You will make your ear listen,
18to give justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that the man of the earth may oppress no more.