1Why do You stand so far away, O LORD? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? 2The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. 3For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire, and blesses the greedy, whom the LORD abhors. 4The wicked is too proud to seek after God; God is never in his thoughts. 5He seems to always prosper; Your judgments are far from his view. As for all his enemies, he sneers at them. 6He says to himself, ‘I shall not be moved; for I shall never know adversity.’ 7His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and fraud; under his tongue is trouble and malice. 8He lurks in secret places to ambush and murder the unsuspecting, innocent, and the poor.

9He lies in wait to catch the poor and helpless, as a lion secretly lies in wait in a thicket. He catches the poor, drawing him into his net. 10He crouches low, that he may overpower the weak by his strength. 11He says to himself, ‘God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see it’.

12Arise, O LORD. Remember the helpless; use Your strong arm, O God; to help those in desperate need. 13Why does the wicked despise God? He has said in his heart, ‘God will not hold me accountable.’ 14You have seen it; for You note the evil deeds, to repay them with Your hand. The poor rely upon You; You are the helper of the fatherless. 15Break the arm of the evildoer; repay them for their wickedness until You find no more.

16The LORD is King forever and ever; the godless nations will perish out of His land. 17LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; surely You will strengthen their heart, You will open Your ear to them, 18To vindicate the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress them no more.