Psalms

1Why 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.

The Perils of the Pilgrim

1Why, O LORD, do You stand far off?Why do You hide in times of trouble?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14But 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.

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

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

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

18to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed,that the men of the earthmay strike terror no more.