Psalm 10:1–12

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

^1jWhy, O Lord, do you stand far off?

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

²In arrogance the wicked persecute the poor—

let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.^*

³For the wicked boast of the desires of their heart;

those greedy for gain curse and renounce the Lord.^*

⁴In the pride of their countenance the wicked say, “God will not seek it out”;

all their thoughts are, “There is no God.”^*

⁵Their ways prosper at all times;

your judgments are on high, out of their sight;

as for their foes, they scoff at them.

⁶They think in their heart, “We shall not be moved;

throughout all generations we shall not meet adversity.”^*

⁷Their mouths are filled with cursing and deceit and oppression;

under their tongues are mischief and iniquity.^*

⁸They sit in ambush in the villages;

in hiding places they murder the innocent.

Their eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;^*

⁹they lurk in secret like a lion in its den;

they lurk that they may seize the poor;

they seize the poor and drag them off in their net.^*

¹⁰They stoop, they crouch,

and the helpless fall by their might.

¹¹They think in their heart, “God has forgotten;

he has hidden his face; he will never see it.”^*

¹²Rise up, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand;

do not forget the oppressed.^*