Why do you stand so far away, O Lord? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

The wicked in his arrogance persecutes the poor; let them be taken in the schemes which they have devised.

For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire, and the man greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord.

The wicked, through the arrogance of his countenance, thinks, He will not seek out; all his thoughts are, There is no God.

His ways are always strong; your judgments are far above, out of his sight; as for all his enemies, he hisses at them.

He has said in his heart, I shall not be moved; for I shall never be in adversity.

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud; under his tongue is mischief and vanity.

He sits in the lurking places of the villages; in the secret places he murders the innocent; his eyes stealthily watch for the helpless.

He lies in wait secretly, like a lion in his den; he lies in wait to catch the poor; he catches the poor, when he draws him into his net.

The helpless collapse; they bow down, and fall into his power.

He says in his heart, God has forgotten; he hides his face; he will never see it.

Arise, O Lord! O God, lift up your hand; do not forget the humble.

Why does the wicked man renounce God? He has said in his heart, You will not avenge.

You have seen it; for you behold mischief and spite, to requite it with your hand; the helpless man commits himself to you; you are the helper of the orphan.

Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; seek out his wickedness till you find none left.

The Lord is King for ever and ever; the nations have perished from his land.

Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their heart, you will cause your ear to hear;

To judge the orphan and the oppressed, so that none shall any longer terrify innocent men from the earth.