✧Why do you stand far off, LORD? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? ✧2In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak. They are caught in the schemes that they devise. ✧3For the wicked boasts of his heart’s cravings. He blesses the greedy and condemns the LORD. ✧4The wicked, in the pride of his face, has no room in his thoughts for God. ✧5His ways are prosperous at all times. He is arrogant, and your laws are far from his sight. As for all his adversaries, he sneers at them. ✧6He says in his heart, “I shall not be shaken. For generations I shall have no trouble.” ✧7His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity. ✧8He lies in wait near the villages. From ambushes, he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against the helpless. ✧9He lurks in secret as a lion in his ambush. He lies in wait to catch the helpless. He catches the helpless when he draws him in his net. ✧10The helpless are crushed. They collapse. They fall under his strength. ✧11He says in his heart, “God has forgotten. He hides his face. He will never see it.” ✧12Arise, LORD! God, lift up your hand! Don’t forget the helpless. ✧13Why does the wicked person condemn God, and say in his heart, “God won’t call me into account”? ✧14But you do see trouble and grief. You consider it to take it into your hand. You help the victim and the fatherless. ✧15Break the arm of the wicked. As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none. ✧16The LORD is King forever and ever! The nations will perish out of his land. ✧17LORD, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart. You will cause your ear to hear, ✧18to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that man who is of the earth may terrify no more.