1Why standest thou afar off, O Jehovah?

Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

2In the pride of the wicked the poor is hotly pursued;

Let them be taken in the devices that they have conceived.

3For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire,

And the covetous renounceth, yea, contemneth Jehovah.

4The wicked, in the pride of his countenance, saith,

He will not require it.

All his thoughts are,

There is no God.

5His ways are firm at all times;

Thy judgments are far above out of his sight:

As for all his adversaries, he puffeth at them.

6He saith in his heart, I shall not be moved;

To all generations I shall not be in adversity.

7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression:

Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

8He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages;

In the secret places doth he murder the innocent;

His eyes are privily set against the helpless.

9He lurketh in secret as a lion in his covert;

He lieth in wait to catch the poor:

He doth catch the poor, when he draweth him in his net.

10He croucheth, he boweth down,

And the helpless fall by his strong ones.

11He saith in his heart, God hath forgotten;

He hideth his face; he will never see it.