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

2The wicked in his pride pursues the poor; let them be taken in the schemes that they have imagined,

3For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire, and blesses the covetous but despises the LORD.

4Through the pride of his countenance the wicked will not seek God; in all his thoughts there is no place for God.

5His ways prosper at all times. He is haughty, and Your judgments are far from him. As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.

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

7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.

8He sits in the hiding places of the villages; in the secret places he murders the innocent. His eyes are on the watch for the helpless.

9He lies in wait secretly like a lion in his den. He lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags him off in his net.

10He crouches and bows down, and the hapless fall into his mighty grasp.

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; forget not the humble.

13Why do the wicked spurn God? He has said in his heart, "You will not call into account."

14You have seen it, for You behold mischief and vexation to repay it with Your hand. The poor commits himself to You; You are the Helper of the fatherless.

15Break the arm of the wicked and the evil one; 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 defend the fatherless and the oppressed, so that the man of the earth may no more oppress.