1 W hy do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide Yourself, in times of trouble (distress and desperation)?

2 T he wicked in pride and arrogance hotly pursue and persecute the poor; let them be taken in the schemes which they have devised.

3 F or the wicked man boasts (sings the praises) of his own heart’s desire, and the one greedy for gain curses and spurns, yes, renounces and despises the Lord.

4 T he wicked one in the pride of his countenance will not seek, inquire for, and yearn for God; all his thoughts are that there is no God.

5 H is ways are grievous at all times; Your judgments are far above and on high out of his sight; as for all his foes, he sniffs and sneers at them.

6 H e thinks in his heart, I shall not be moved; for throughout all generations I shall not come to want or be in adversity.

7 H is mouth is full of cursing, deceit, oppression (fraud); under his tongue are trouble and sin (mischief and iniquity).

8 H e sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he slays the innocent; he watches stealthily for the poor (the helpless and unfortunate).

9 H e lurks in secret places like a lion in his thicket; he lies in wait that he may seize the poor (the helpless and the unfortunate); he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.

10 i s crushed, sinks down; and the helpless falls by his mighty.

11 t hinks in his heart, God has quite forgotten; He has hidden His face; He will never see.

12 A rise, O Lord! O God, lift up Your hand; forget not the humble.

13 W hy does the wicked condemn (spurn and renounce) God? Why has he thought in his heart, You will not call to account?

14 Y ou have seen it; yes, You note trouble and grief (vexation) to requite it with Your hand. The unfortunate commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.

15 B reak the arm of the wicked man; and as for the evil man, search out his wickedness until You find no more.

16 T he Lord is King forever and ever; the nations will perish out of His land.

17 O Lord, You have heard the desire and the longing of the humble and oppressed; You will prepare and strengthen and direct their hearts, You will cause Your ear to hear,

18 T o do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man, who is of the earth, may not terrify them any more.