 1 Why do you stand far away O Lord? Will you hide in times of trouble? 2 The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor. Let them be taken in the plans that they have imagined. 3 For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire, and blesses the covetous whom the Lord despises. 4 Through the pride of his face the wicked will not seek Him; There is no God in all his schemes. 5 His ways are always perverted. Your judgments are high, out of his sight. As for all his enemies, he puffs at them. 6 He has said in his heart, I shall not be moved. From generation to generation, never in evil. 7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud. Under his tongue are mischief and vanity. 8 He sits in the hiding places of the villages. In the secret places he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against the poor. 9 He lies in wait secretly, like a lion in his den. He lies in wait to catch the poor. He catches the poor when he draws him into his net. 10 He crouches and bows, and the poor have fallen by his might. 11 He has said in his heart, God has forgotten. He hides His face. He will not see forever. 12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand. Do not forget the humble. 13 Why do the wicked condemn God? He has said in his heart, you will not judge. 14 You have seen it. For you behold mischief and vexation, to repay it with your hand. The poor commit themselves to you. You are the helper of the fatherless. 15 Break the arm of the wicked and the evil one. Seek out his wickedness, until you find none. 16 The Lord is King forever and ever. The nations have perished out of His land. 17 Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart. You will cause your ear to hear. 18 You judge the fatherless and the oppressed so that mankind on the earth may no longer terrify.
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