A Song of Confidence in God’s Triumph Over Evil

1 Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble?

2 The wicked in his pride 1persecutes the poor;

aLet them be caught in the plots which they have devised.

3 For the wicked bboasts of his heart’s desire;

2He cblesses the greedy and renounces the Lord.

4 The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God;

3God is in none of his dthoughts.

5 His ways 4are always prospering;

Your judgments are far above, out of his sight;

As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.

6 eHe has said in his heart, “I shall not be moved;

fI shall never be in adversity.”

7 gHis mouth is full of cursing and hdeceit and oppression;

Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity.

8 He sits in the lurking places of the villages;

In the secret places he murders the innocent;

His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.

9 He lies in wait secretly, as 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 So 5he crouches, he lies low,

That the helpless may fall by his 6strength.

11 He has said in his heart,

“God has forgotten;

He hides His face;

He will never see.”