1Why, Yahweh, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2In his arrogance the wicked hotly pursues the poor; let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.
3For the wicked boasts of the desire of his soul, and the greedy one, blessing himself, spurns Yahweh.
4The wicked, in the haughtiness of his face, does not seek him; ‘There is no God’—so are all his thoughts.
5His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are high, far above him; all his foes—he snorts at them.
6He says in his heart, ‘I will not be shaken; from generation to generation I will be in no trouble.’
7His mouth is full of cursing, deceits, and oppression; under his tongue are trouble and iniquity.
8He sits in ambush by the villages; in hiding places he kills the innocent; his eyes watch stealthily for the helpless.
9He lurks in hiding like a lion in its den; he lurks to seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.
10He is crushed, he sinks down, and the helpless fall by his mighty ones.
11He says in his heart, ‘God has forgotten; he has hidden his face; he will never see.’
12Arise, Yahweh! O God, lift up your hand; do not forget the afflicted.
13Why has the wicked spurned God? He says in his heart, ‘You will not call to account.’
14You have seen it—for you note trouble and grief, to take it into your hand. To you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the orphan.
15Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer; call his wickedness to account until you find none.
16Yahweh is king forever and ever; the nations have perished from his land.
17The desire of the humble you have heard, Yahweh; you will strengthen their heart, you will incline your ear,
18to give justice to the orphan and the oppressed, so that man, who is from the earth, may terrify no more.
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