Psalms 10

1Why do you stand far away, LORD? Why do you hide in times of trouble?

2In pride, the wicked person hunts down the weak; let him be caught in the schemes he has plotted.

3He boasts about his heart's desire, and blesses the greedy, whom the LORD despises.

4In the pride of his face, he will not seek God; there is no room for God in any of his thoughts.

5His ways always prosper; your judgments are far above, out of his sight; he sneers at all his enemies.

6He says in his heart: I will never be shaken; I will never have trouble.

7His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.

8He lies in wait near the villages; in secret places he murders the innocent; his eyes watch in secret for the helpless.

9He lies in wait secretly like a lion in a den; he lies in wait to catch the poor; he catches the poor by dragging them into a net.

10He crouches down and lies low, and the helpless fall by his strength.

11He says in his heart: God has forgotten; God hides God's face; God will never see it.

12Rise up, LORD! God, lift up your hand! Do not forget the helpless.

13Why does he despise God? He says in his heart: You will not call me to account.

14But you have seen it, because you take notice of trouble and grief, to repay it with your own hand. The helpless commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

15Break the arm of the wicked and evil person; seek out that person's wickedness until none is left.

16The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations will perish from the LORD's land.

17LORD, you have heard the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their hearts, you will listen closely,

18To defend the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere mortals may no longer terrify anyone.