1: Why do you stand far off, Yahweh? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 2: In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak; They are caught in the schemes that they devise. 3: For the wicked boasts of his heart's cravings, He blesses the greedy, and condemns Yahweh. 4: The wicked, in the pride of his face, Has no room in his thoughts for God. 5: His ways are prosperous at all times; He is haughty, and your laws are far from his sight: As for all his adversaries, he sneers at them. 6: He says in his heart, "I shall not be shaken; For generations I shall have no trouble." 7: His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity. 8: He lies in wait near the villages. From ambushes, he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against the helpless. 9: He lurks in secret as a lion in his ambush. He lies in wait to catch the helpless. He catches the helpless, when he draws him in his net. 10: The helpless are crushed, they collapse, They fall under his strength. 11: He says in his heart, "God has forgotten. He hides his face. He will never see it." 12: Arise, Yahweh! God, lift up your hand! Don't forget the helpless. 13: Why does the wicked condemn God, And say in his heart, "God won't call me into account?" 14: But you do see trouble and grief; You consider it to take it into your hand. You help the victim and the fatherless. 15: Break the arm of the wicked. As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none. 16: Yahweh is King forever and ever! The nations will perish out of his land. 17: Yahweh, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart. You will cause your ear to hear, 18: To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, That man who is of the earth may terrify no more.
