10 Why do you seem so distant, Yahweh?

Why can’t we see you helping us in times of trouble?

2 Wicked people just arrogantly bully the poor and needy.

May they be caught up by the very schemes that they planned for others.

3 Indeed, the wicked people boast about everything they want

≈and they say that the greedy person is a fine guy, but they despise Yahweh.

4 In their pride, wicked people don’t seek him.

≈In their minds, they convince themselves that there’s no God.

5 Their don’t want to change their ways.

Your judgements are high above out of their sight.

As for all their enemies, they sigh at them.

6 They tell themselves, “No one’s going to change me.

≈No one will trouble me, even through all the generations.”

7 Their mouths are full of curses and lies, and they oppress others.

Mischief and evil are under their tongues.[ref]

8 They sit in ambush near the villages.

In isolated places they murder the innocent.

Their eyes stealthily watch for any vulnerable people.

9 They ambush in a hidden places like a lion in cover.

They hide so they can seize helpless people.

They capture the weak by pulling in their nets.

10 They stoop then crouch,

and unfortunate people succumb to their strength.

11 They tell themselves, “God has gone on strike—

he looks away so he never notices.”

12 Yahweh, take action.

≈God, do something.

Don’t forget those who’re poor or needy.

13 Why do wicked people despise God?

They tell themselves, “You’ll never come looking for me.”

14 But you have seen—indeed, you notice mischief and grief to do something about it.

The victims trust you to work on their behalf.

You are a helper for the fatherless.

15 Break the hold of wicked and evil people.

Prevent them from being able to implement their wicked schemes.

16 Yahweh is king forever and ever.

He drove those other nations out of his land.

17 You’ve heard the request of those in need, Yahweh.

You encourage them. You pay close attention

18 to judge the orphan and oppressed,

so that mere humans will no longer be able to terrify them.