Psalms 10
1 Wherefore, O Lord, standest thou afar off? hidest thyself in times of distress?
Why, O LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide in times of trouble?
2 In the pride of the wicked doth he hotly pursue the poor: they are seized through the plans that those have devised.
In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise.
3 For the wicked boasteth of the longing of his soul, and the robber blesseth himself when he hath despised the Lord.
For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
4 The wicked, according to the pride of his wrathfulness, [saith, ] He will not require, There is no God [in] all his plans.
In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God.
5 Prosperous are his ways at all times; far in the height [remain] thy punishments away from him: all his assailants—he puffeth at them.
He is secure in his ways at all times; Your lofty judgments are far from him; he sneers at all his foes.
6 He saith in his heart, I shall not be moved; I shall be for many generations, and without adversity.
He says to himself, “I will not be moved; from age to age I am free of distress.”
7 Of the false oaths is his mouth full, and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and wickedness.
His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.
8 He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages; in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes search for the unfortunate.
He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless.
9 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.
He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net.
10 He croucheth, he bendeth himself, and the unfortunate fall through his might.
They are crushed and beaten down; the hapless fall prey to his strength.
11 He saith in his heart, God hath forgotten; he hath hidden his face; he will never see it.
He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He hides His face and never sees.”
12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thy hand: forget not the afflicted.
Arise, O LORD! Lift up Your hand, O God! Do not forget the helpless.
13 For what doth the wicked despise God? [why] doth he say in his heart, Thou wilt not require it?
Why has the wicked man renounced God? He says to himself, “You will never call me to account.”
14 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.
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.
15 Break thou the arm of the wicked; and of the bad man—thou wilt inquire for his wickedness [till] thou find none.
Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call him to account for his wickedness until none is left to be found.
16 The Lord is King for ever and ever: nations are perished out of his land.
The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations perish from His land.
17 The longing of the afflicted dost thou hear, O Lord! thou wilt strengthen their heart, thou wilt cause thy ear to listen:
You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline Your ear,
18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that not farther more shall be arrogant the mortal from the earth.
to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed, that the men of the earth may strike terror no more.
