The Perils of the Pilgrim

10 Why, O LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide in times of trouble?

2 In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise.

3 For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.

4 In his pride the wicked [man] does not seek [Him]; in all his schemes there is no God.

5 He is secure in his ways at all times Your lofty judgments are far from him; he sneers at all his foes.

6 He says to himself, “I will not be moved; from age to age I am free of distress.”

7 His mouth is full of cursing, deceit,[fn] and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.

8 He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless.

9 He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net

10 They are crushed and beaten down;[fn] the helpless fall prey to his strength.

11 He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He hides His face and never sees.”

12 Arise, O LORD! Lift up Your hand, O God! Do not forget the helpless.

13 Why has the wicked man renounced God? He says to himself, “You will never call [me] to account.”

14 But You have regarded trouble and grief; You see to repay [it] by Your hand. The victim entrusts himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call him to account for his wickedness until none is left to be found.

16 The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations perish from His land.

17 You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline Your ear,

18 to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed, that the men of the earth may strike terror no more