1Why do You stand afar off, O Jehovah? Will You hide in times of distress? 2The wicked in his pride persecutes the lowly; let them be caught in the plots that they have devised. 3For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire, and blesses those who plunder, whom Jehovah has spurned. 4Through the pride of his countenance the wicked do not seek after God; God is not in all his schemes. 5His ways are always twisted; Your judgments are high, out of his sight. As for all his enemies, he snorts at them. 6He has said in his heart, I shall not be moved; from generation to generation I shall not be in adversity! 7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are trouble and wickedness. 8He sits in the lurking places of the villages; in the secret places he murders the innocent; his eyes are hidden against the unfortunate ones. 9He 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. 10He lies low and crouches, and the poor unfortunate ones have fallen by his might. 11He has said in his heart, the Mighty God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see it! 12Arise, O Jehovah! O Mighty God, lift up Your hand! Forget not the lowly poor. 13Why have the wicked spurned God? He has said in his heart, You will not investigate. 14But You have seen it, for You pay attention to trouble and provocation; to repay it with Your hand. The poor commits himself to You; You are the Helper of the fatherless. 15Break the arm of the wicked and the evil one; investigate his wickedness, until You find no more. 16Jehovah is King forever and ever; the nations have perished out of His land. 17Jehovah, You have heard the desire of the lowly; You will prepare their heart, You will cause Your ear to hear, 18to vindicate the fatherless and the oppressed, so that the man of the earth may terrify no more.