1Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide in times of trouble?

2The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.

3For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire; He blesses the greedy and renounces the LORD.

4The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.

5His ways are always prospering; Your judgments are far above, out of his sight; As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.

6He has said in his heart, "I shall not be moved; I shall never be in adversity."

7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity.

8He sits in the lurking places of the villages; In the secret places he murders the innocent; His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.

9He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den; He lies in wait to catch the poor; He catches the poor when he draws him into his net.

10So he crouches, he lies low, That the helpless may fall by his strength.

11He has said in his heart, "God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see."

12Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble.

13Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, "You will not require an account."

14But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, To repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.

15Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; Seek out his wickedness until You find none.

16The LORD is King forever and ever; The nations have perished out of His land.

17LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear,

18To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.