Psalms 10

1 Why standest Thou afar off, O LORD? Why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble?

Why do you stand far off, LORD? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

2 Through the pride of the wicked the poor is hotly pursued, they are taken in the devices that they have imagined.

In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak. They are caught in the schemes that they devise.

3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and the covetous vaunteth himself, though he contemn the LORD.

For the wicked boasts of his heart's cravings, and he blesses the greedy, scorning the LORD.

4 The wicked, in the pride of his countenance, saith: 'He will not require'; all his thoughts are: 'There is no God.'

The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek. All his thoughts are "There is no God."

5 His ways prosper at all times; Thy judgments are far above out of his sight; as for all his adversaries, he puffeth at them.

His ways are firm at all times. Your judgments are turned aside. As for all his adversaries, he sneers at them.

6 He saith in his heart: 'I shall not be moved, I who to all generations shall not be in adversity.'

He says in his heart, "I shall not be shaken. From generation to generation I shall not experience calamity."

7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

His mouth is full of cursing and bitterness and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

8 He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages; in secret places doth he slay the innocent; his eyes are on the watch for the helpless.

He lies in wait near the villages. From ambushes, he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against the helpless.

9 He lieth in wait in a secret place as a lion in his lair, he lieth in wait to catch the poor; he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him up in his net.

He lurks in secret as a lion in his ambush. He lies in wait to catch the helpless. He catches the helpless, when he draws him in his net.

10 He croucheth, he boweth down, and the helpless fall into his mighty claws.

The helpless are crushed. They collapse. They fall under his strength.

11 He hath said in his heart: 'God hath forgotten; He hideth His face; He will never see.'

He says in his heart, "God has forgotten. He hides his face. He will never see it."

12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up Thy hand; forget not the humble.

Arise, LORD. God, lift up your hand. Do not forget the helpless.

13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God, and say in his heart: 'Thou wilt not require'?

Why does the wicked person condemn God, and say in his heart, "You will not seek (an accounting)."

14 Thou hast seen; for Thou beholdest trouble and vexation, to requite them with Thy hand; unto Thee the helpless committeth himself; Thou hast been the helper of the fatherless.

But you do see trouble and grief. You consider it to take it into your hand. You help the victim and the fatherless.

15 Break Thou the arm of the wicked; and as for the evil man, search out his wickedness, till none be found.

Break the arm of the wicked. As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none.

16 The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations are perished out of His land.

The LORD is King forever and ever. The nations have perished from his land.

17 LORD, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble: Thou wilt direct their heart, Thou wilt cause Thine ear to attend;

LORD, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart. You will cause your ear to hear,

18 To right the fatherless and the oppressed, that man who is of the earth may be terrible no more.

to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that man who is of the earth may terrify no more.