1LORD,a, b why do You stand so far away?c

Why do You hide in times of trouble?d

2In arrogance the wicked relentlessly pursue the afflicted;

let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.e

3For the wicked one boasts about his own cravings;f

the one who is greedy cursesg and despises the LORD.h

4In all his scheming,

the wicked arrogantly thinks:i

“There is no accountability,

since God does not exist.”j

5His ways are always secure;k

Your lofty judgments are beyond his sight;

he scoffs at all his adversaries.l

6He says to himself, “I will never be moved —

from generation to generation without calamity.”m

7Cursing, deceit, and violence fill his mouth;

trouble and malice are under his tongue.n

8He waits in ambush near the villages;o

he kills the innocent in secret places.

His eyes are on the lookout for the helpless;p

9he lurks in secret like a lion in a thicket.

He lurks in order to seize the afflicted;

he seizes the afflicted and drags him in his net.

10So he is oppressed and beaten down;

the helpless fall because of his strength.q

11He says to himself, “God has forgotten;

He hides His face and will never see.”r

12Rise up, LORD God! Lift up Your hand.s

Do not forget the afflicted.t

13Why has the wicked person despised God?

He says to himself, “You will not demand an account.”u

14But You Yourself have seen trouble and grief,

observing it in order to take the matter into Your hands.v

The helpless entrusts himself to You;

You are a helper of the fatherless.w

15Break the arm of the wicked and evil person;x

call his wickedness into account

until nothing remains of it.y, z

16The LORD is King forever and ever;aa

the nations will perish from His land.ab

17LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble;ac

You will strengthen their hearts.

You will listen carefully,ad

18doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed

so that men of the earth may terrify them no more.ae