1Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
2
The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.+
3
For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.++
4
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.+
5
His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
6
He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.+
7
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.++
8
He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.+
9
He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.+
10
He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.++
11
He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
12Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.+
13
Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
14
Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.+
15
Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
16
The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.
17
LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:+
18
To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.+