Psalms 10

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

Why standest Thou afar off, O LORD? Why hidest Thou Thyself 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.

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

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

The wicked, in the pride of his countenance, saith: 'He will not require'; all his thoughts are: '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.

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

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

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

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 and deceit and oppression; under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

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 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.

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations are perished out of 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:

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

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

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