Psalms 10

1 Wherefore, O Lord, standest thou afar off? hidest thyself in times of distress?

Why stand you afar off, O Lord? [why] do you overlook [us] in times of need, in affliction?

2 In the pride of the wicked doth he hotly pursue the poor: they are seized through the plans that those have devised.

While the ungodly one acts proudly, the poor is hotly pursued: [the wicked] are taken in the crafty counsels which they imagine.

3 For the wicked boasteth of the longing of his soul, and the robber blesseth himself when he hath despised the Lord.

Because the sinner praises himself for the desires of his heart; and the unjust one blesses himself.

4 The wicked, according to the pride of his wrathfulness, [saith, ] He will not require, There is no God [in] all his plans.

The sinner has provoked the Lord: according to the abundance of his pride he will not seek after [him]: God is not before him.

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.

His ways are profane at all times; your judgements are removed from before him: he will gain the mastery over all his enemies.

6 He saith in his heart, I shall not be moved; I shall be for many generations, and without adversity.

For he has said in his heart, I shall not be moved, [continuing] without evil from generation to generation.

7 Of the false oaths is his mouth full, and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and wickedness.

Whose mouth is full of cursing, and bitterness, and fraud: under his tongue are trouble and pain.

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 with rich [men] in secret places, in order to kill the innocent: his eyes are set against the poor.

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 in secret as a lion in his den: he lies in wait to ravish the poor, to ravish the poor when he draws him [after him]: he will bring him down in his snare.

10 He croucheth, he bendeth himself, and the unfortunate fall through his might.

He will bow down and fall when he has mastered the poor.

11 He saith in his heart, God hath forgotten; he hath hidden his face; he will never see it.

For he has said in his heart, God has forgotten: he has turned away his face so as never to look.

12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thy hand: forget not the afflicted.

Arise, O Lord God; let your hand be lifted up: forget not the poor.

13 For what doth the wicked despise God? [why] doth he say in his heart, Thou wilt not require it?

Therefore, has the wicked provoked God? for he has said in his heart, He will not require [it].

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.

You see [it]; for you do observe trouble and wrath, to deliver them into your hands: the poor has been left to you; you were a helper to the orphan.

15 Break thou the arm of the wicked; and of the bad man—thou wilt inquire for his wickedness [till] thou find none.

Break you the arm of the sinner and wicked man: his sin shall be sought for, and shall not be found.

16 The Lord is King for ever and ever: nations are perished out of his land.

The Lord shall reign for ever, even for ever and ever: you Gentiles shall perish out 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:

The Lord has heard the desire of the poor: your ear has inclined to the preparation of their heart;

18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that not farther more shall be arrogant the mortal from the earth.

to plead for the orphan and afflicted, that man may no more boast upon the earth.