Psalm 10

1 Lord, f g why do You stand so far away? h

Why do You hide in times of trouble? i

2 In arrogance the wicked relentlessly pursue the afflicted;

let them be caught in the schemes they have devised. j

3 For the wicked one boasts about his own cravings; k

the one who is greedy curses l and despises the Lord. m

4 In all his scheming,

the wicked arrogantly thinks: n

“There is no accountability,

since God does not exist.” o

5 His ways are always secure; p

Your lofty judgments are beyond his sight;

he scoffs at all his adversaries. q

6 He says to himself, “I will never be moved—

from generation to generation without calamity.” r

7 Cursing, deceit, and violence fill his mouth;

trouble and malice are under his tongue. s

8 He waits in ambush near the villages; t

he kills the innocent in secret places.

His eyes are on the lookout for the helpless; u

9 he lurks in secret like a lion in a thicket.

He lurks in order to seize the afflicted;

he seizes the afflicted and drags him in his net.

10 So he is oppressed and beaten down;

the helpless fall because of his strength. v

11 He says to himself, “God has forgotten;

He hides His face and will never see.” w

12 Rise up, Lord God! Lift up Your hand. x

Do not forget the afflicted. y

13 Why has the wicked person despised God?

He says to himself, “You will not demand an account.” z

14 But You Yourself have seen trouble and grief,

observing it in order to take the matter into Your hands. a

The helpless entrusts himself to You;

You are a helper of the fatherless. b

15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil person; c

call his wickedness into account

until nothing remains of it. d e

16 The Lord is King forever and ever; f

the nations will perish from His land. g

17 Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; h

You will strengthen their hearts.

You will listen carefully, i

18 doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed

so that men of the earth may terrify them no more. j