Psalms 10
1 Why do you keep far away, O Lord? why are you not to be seen in times of trouble?
Wherefore, O Lord, standest thou afar off? hidest thyself in times of distress?
2 The evil-doer in his pride is cruel to the poor; let him be taken by the tricks of his invention.
In the pride of the wicked doth he hotly pursue the poor: they are seized through the plans that those have devised.
3 For the evil-doer is lifted up because of the purpose of his heart, and he whose mind is fixed on wealth is turned away from the Lord, saying evil against him.
For the wicked boasteth of the longing of his soul, and the robber blesseth himself when he hath despised the Lord.
4 The evil-doer in his pride says, God will not make a search. All his thoughts are, There is no God.
The wicked, according to the pride of his wrathfulness, [saith, ] He will not require, There is no God [in] all his plans.
5 His ways are ever fixed; your decisions are higher than he may see: as for his haters, they are as nothing to him.
Prosperous are his ways at all times; far in the height [remain] thy punishments away from him: all his assailants—he puffeth at them.
6 He has said in his heart, I will not be moved: through all generations I will never be in trouble.
He saith in his heart, I shall not be moved; I shall be for many generations, and without adversity.
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and false words: under his tongue are evil purposes and dark thoughts.
Of the false oaths is his mouth full, and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and wickedness.
8 He is waiting in the dark places of the towns: in the secret places he puts to death those who have done no wrong: his eyes are secretly turned against the poor.
He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages; in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes search for the unfortunate.
9 He keeps himself in a secret place like a lion in his hole, waiting to put his hands on the poor man, and pulling him into his net.
He lieth in wait in a secret place like a lion in his den; he lieth in wait to snatch up the poor: he snatcheth up the poor, as they draweth him into his net.
10 The upright are crushed and made low, and the feeble are overcome by his strong ones.
He croucheth, he bendeth himself, and the unfortunate fall through his might.
11 He says in his heart, God has no memory of me: his face is turned away; he will never see it.
He saith in his heart, God hath forgotten; he hath hidden his face; he will never see it.
12 Up! O Lord; let your hand be lifted: give thought to the poor.
Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thy hand: forget not the afflicted.
13 Why has the evil-doer a low opinion of God, saying in his heart, You will not make search for it?
For what doth the wicked despise God? [why] doth he say in his heart, Thou wilt not require it?
14 You have seen it; for your eyes are on sorrow and grief, to take it into your hand: the poor man puts his faith in you; you have been the helper of the child who has no father.
Thou hast seen it: for thou beholdest mischief and despiteful acts, to requite it with thy hand: unto thee the unfortunate committeth himself; unto the fatherless hast thou [ever] been a helper.
15 Let the arm of the sinner and the evil-doer be broken; go on searching for his sin till there is no more.
Break thou the arm of the wicked; and of the bad man—thou wilt inquire for his wickedness [till] thou find none.
16 The Lord is King for ever and ever; the nations are gone from his land.
The Lord is King for ever and ever: nations are perished out of his land.
17 Lord, you have given ear to the prayer of the poor: you will make strong their hearts, you will give them a hearing:
The longing of the afflicted dost thou hear, O Lord! thou wilt strengthen their heart, thou wilt cause thy ear to listen:
18 To give decision for the child without a father and for the broken-hearted, so that the man of the earth may no longer be feared.
To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that not farther more shall be arrogant the mortal from the earth.
