Psalms 10
1 Why, O LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide in times of trouble?
So then, why, O Lord, have you withdrawn far away? Why have you overlooked us in opportunity, in tribulation?
2 In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise.
While the impious is arrogant, the poor is enflamed. They are held by the counsels that they devise.
3 For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
For the sinner is praised by the desires of his soul, and the iniquitous is blessed.
4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God.
The sinner has provoked the Lord; according to the multitude of his wrath, he will not seek him.
5 He is secure in his ways at all times; Your lofty judgments are far from him; he sneers at all his foes.
God is not before his sight. His ways are stained at all times. Your judgments are removed from his face. He will be master of all his enemies.
6 He says to himself, “I will not be moved; from age to age I am free of distress.”
For he has said in his heart, “I will not be disturbed: from generation to generation without evil.”
7 His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.
His mouth is full of curses, and bitterness, and deceit. Under his tongue are hardship and sorrow.
8 He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless.
He sits in ambush, with resources in hidden places, so that he may execute the innocent.
9 He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net.
His eyes catch sight of the poor. He lies in ambush, in hiding like a lion in his den. He lies in ambush, so that he may seize the poor, to seize the poor as he draws him in.
10 They are crushed and beaten down; the hapless fall prey to his strength.
With his snare, he will bring him down. He will crouch down and pounce, when he has power over the poor.
11 He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He hides His face and never sees.”
For he has said in his heart, “God has forgotten, he has turned away his face, lest he see to the end.”
12 Arise, O LORD! Lift up Your hand, O God! Do not forget the helpless.
O Lord God, rise up. Let your hand be exalted. Do not forget the poor.
13 Why has the wicked man renounced God? He says to himself, “You will never call me to account.”
How has the impious one provoked God? For he has said in his heart, “He will not inquire.”
14 But You have regarded trouble and grief; You see to repay it by Your hand. The victim entrusts himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.
You do see, for you examine hardship and sorrow, so that you may deliver them into your hands. The poor one has been abandoned to you. You will be a helper to the orphan.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call him to account for his wickedness until none is left to be found.
Break the arm of the sinner and the malicious. His sin will be sought, and it will not be found.
16 The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations perish from His land.
The Lord shall reign in eternity, even forever and ever. You will perish the Gentiles from his land.
17 You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline Your ear,
The Lord has heeded the desire of the poor. Your ear has listened to the preparation of their heart,
18 to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed, that the men of the earth may strike terror no more.
so as to judge for the orphan and the humble, so that man may no longer presume to magnify himself upon the earth.
