A Prayer for the Overthrow of the Wicked.

1Why do You stand far away, O LORD?

Why do You hide [Yourself, veiling Your eyes] in times of trouble?

2In pride and arrogance the wicked hotly pursue and persecute the afflicted;

Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.

3For the wicked boasts and sings the praises of his heart’s desire,

And the greedy man curses and spurns [and even despises] the LORD.

4The wicked, in the haughtiness of his face, will not seek nor inquire for Him;

All his thoughts are, “There is no God [so there is no accountability or punishment].”

5His ways prosper at all times;

Your judgments [LORD] are on high, out of his sight [so he never thinks about them];

As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.

6He says to himself, “I will not be moved;

For throughout all generations I will not be in adversity [for nothing bad will happen to me].”

7His mouth is full of curses and deceit (fraud) and oppression;

Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness [injustice and sin].

8He lurks in ambush in the villages;

In hiding places he kills the innocent;

He lies in wait for the unfortunate [the unhappy, the poor, the helpless].

9He lurks in a hiding place like a lion in his lair;

He lies in wait to catch the afflicted;

He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net.

10He crushes [his prey] and crouches;

And the unfortunate fall by his mighty claws.

11He says to himself, “God has [quite] forgotten;

He has hidden His face; He will never see my deed.”

12Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand [in judgment];

Do not forget the suffering.

13Why has the wicked spurned and shown disrespect to God?

He has said to himself, “You will not require me to account.”

14You have seen it, for You have noted mischief and vexation (irritation) to take it into Your hand.

The unfortunate commits himself to You;

You are the helper of the fatherless.

15Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer,

Seek out his wickedness until You find no more.

16The LORD is King forever and ever;

The nations will perish from His land.

17O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble and oppressed;

You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to hear,

18To vindicate and obtain justice for the fatherless and the oppressed,

So that man who is of the earth will no longer terrify them.