Psalms 10:1-13 ▼

1 Why do You stand far away, O LORD? Why do You hide [Yourself, veiling Your eyes] in times of trouble?

2 In pride and arrogance the wicked hotly pursue and persecute the afflicted; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.

3 For the wicked boasts and sings the praises of his heart’s desire, And the greedy man curses and spurns [and even despises] the LORD.

4 The 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].”

5 His 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.

6 He 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].”

7 His mouth is full of curses and deceit (fraud) and oppression; Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness [injustice and sin].

8 He 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].

9 He 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.

10 He crushes [his prey] and crouches; And the unfortunate fall by his mighty claws.

11 He says to himself, “God has [quite] forgotten; He has hidden His face; He will never see my deed.”

12 Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand [in judgment]; Do not forget the suffering.

13 Why has the wicked spurned and shown disrespect to God? He has said to himself, “You will not require me to account.”