1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off?z

Why do you hide yourselfa in times of trouble?

2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,b

who are caught in the schemes he devises.

3 He boastsc about the cravings of his heart;

he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.d

4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;

in all his thoughts there is no room for God.e

5 His ways are always prosperous;

your laws are rejected byb him;

he sneers at all his enemies.

6 He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.”

He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.”f

7 His mouth is fullg of lies and threats;h

trouble and evil are under his tongue.i

8 He lies in waitj near the villages;

from ambush he murders the innocent.k

His eyes watch in secret for his victims;

9 like a lion in cover he lies in wait.

He lies in wait to catch the helpless;l

he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.m

10 His victims are crushed,n they collapse;

they fall under his strength.

11 He says to himself, “God will never notice;o

he covers his face and never sees.”p