1
Why 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 devicesthat they have imagined .
3
For the wickedboasteth of his heart'sdesire, and blesseth the covetous , whom the LORDabhorreth .
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 alwaysgrievous ; 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 neverbe 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 waitsecretly 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 neversee it.
12
Arise , O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand:forget not the humble* .
13
Wherefore doth the wickedcontemnGod? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
14
Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdestmischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poorcommitteth 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 findnone.
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 moreoppress .