Psalms 10

¹Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Do you hide in times of distress?

²In the pride of the wicked the poor is hotly pursued — let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.

³For the wicked boasts about his soul's craving — the greedy one blesses himself and spurns the LORD.

⁴The wicked, in the height of his arrogance, does not seek; all his schemes: there is no God.

⁵His ways succeed at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; at all his adversaries he snorts.

⁶He said in his heart, 'I will not be shaken — from generation to generation, one who will never be in adversity.'

⁷His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression — under his tongue are mischief and wickedness.

⁸He lurks in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent; his eyes watch for the helpless.

⁹He lies in wait in the hiding place, like a lion in its lair — he lies in wait to seize the poor; he seizes the poor, dragging him in his net.

¹⁰He crushes, bows down, and falls upon the helpless with his mighty power; the wretched are disheartened.

¹¹He says in his heart, 'God has forgotten; he has hidden his face; he will never see.'

¹²Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; do not forget the afflicted, the humble.

¹³Why does the wicked despise God? He has said in his heart, 'You will not call to account.'

¹⁴You have seen, for it is you who looks upon trouble and vexation, to give it into your hand; upon you the helpless forsakes himself, the orphan — you have been his helper.

¹⁵Break the arm of the wicked and evil one; seek out his wickedness until you find it no more.

¹⁶The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations have perished from his land.

¹⁷The longing of the humble you have heard, O LORD — you will strengthen their heart; your ear will give heed.

¹⁸to judge the orphan and the oppressed, so that mortal man from the earth may terrify no more.