1Why do thou stand afar off, O LORD? Why do thou hide thyself in times of trouble? 2In the pride of the wicked man the poor man is hotly pursued. Let them be taken in the devices that they have conceived. 3For the wicked man boasts of his heart's desire. And the greedy man renounces, [yea], despises LORD. 4The wicked man, in the pride of his countenance, [says], He will not require [it]. All his thoughts are, There is no God. 5His ways are profane at all times. Thy judgments are far above out of his sight. As for all his adversaries, he puffs at them. 6He says in his heart, I shall not be moved. To all generations I shall not be in adversity. 7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity. 8He sits in the lurking-places of the villages. In the covert places he murders the innocent man. His eyes are secretly set against the poor man. 9He lurks in secret as a lion in his covert. He lays in wait to catch the poor man. He catches the poor man when he draws him in his net. 10He crouches, he bows down, and helpless men fall by his strong men. 11He says in his heart, God has forgotten. He hides his face. He will never see it. 12Arise, O LORD, O God, lift up thy hand. Do not forget the poor. 13Why does the wicked man despise God, and say in his heart, Thou will not require [it]? 14Thou have seen. For thou behold mischief and spite, to repay with thy hand. The poor man commits [himself] to thee. Thou have been the helper of the fatherless. 15Break thou the arm of the sinner and the evil man. His wickedness shall be sought, and shall not be found. 16LORD is King forever and ever. The nations have perished out of his land. 17LORD, thou have heard the desire of the humble. Thou will prepare their heart, thou will cause thine ear to hear, 18to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that man who is of the earth may no more be appalling.