New Century Version NCV
New International Version NIV
1 Lord, why are you so far away? Why do you hide when there is trouble?
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Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 Proudly the wicked chase down those who suffer. Let them be caught in their own traps.
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In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.
3 They brag about the things they want. They bless the greedy but hate the Lord.
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He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
4 The wicked people are too proud. They do not look for God; there is no room for God in their thoughts.
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In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
5 They always succeed. They are far from keeping your laws; they make fun of their enemies.
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His ways are always prosperous; your laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies.
6 They say to themselves, "Nothing bad will ever happen to me; I will never be ruined."
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He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.” He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.”
7 Their mouths are full of curses, lies, and threats; they use their tongues for sin and evil.
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His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.
8 They hide near the villages. They look for innocent people to kill; they watch in secret for the helpless.
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He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent. His eyes watch in secret for his victims;
9 They wait in hiding like a lion. They wait to catch poor people; they catch the poor in nets.
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like a lion in cover he lies in wait. He lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.
10 The poor are thrown down and crushed; they are defeated because the others are stronger.
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His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.
11 The wicked think, "God has forgotten us. He doesn't see what is happening."
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He says to himself, “God will never notice; he covers his face and never sees.”
12 Lord, rise up and punish the wicked. Don't forget those who need help.
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Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.
13 Why do wicked people hate God? They say to themselves, "God won't punish us."
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Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, “He won’t call me to account”?
14 Lord, surely you see these cruel and evil things; look at them and do something. People in trouble look to you for help. You are the one who helps the orphans.
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But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the power of wicked people. Punish them for the evil they have done.
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Break the arm of the wicked man; call the evildoer to account for his wickedness that would not otherwise be found out.
16 The Lord is King forever and ever. Destroy from your land those nations that do not worship you.
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The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.
17 Lord, you have heard what the poor people want. Do what they ask, and listen to them.
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You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
18 Protect the orphans and put an end to suffering so they will no longer be afraid of evil people. For the director of music. Of David.
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defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.