1[†]Why do You stand afar off, O Yahweh?

Why do You hide [†]Yourself in times of distress?

2In his lofty pride the wicked [†]hotly pursues the afflicted;

[†]Let them be caught in the thoughts which they have devised.

3For the wicked boasts of his soul’s desire,

And [†]the greedy man curses and spurns Yahweh.

4The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him.

All his [†]thoughts are, “There is no God.”

5His ways [†]prosper at all times;

Your judgments are on high, out of his sight;

As for all his adversaries, he snorts at them.

6He says in his heart, “I will not be shaken;

[†]From generation to generation I will not be in adversity.”

7His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression;

Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness.

8He sits in the [†]places of the villages where one lies in wait;

In the hiding places he kills the innocent;

His eyes [†]stealthily watch for the [†]unfortunate.

9He lies in wait in a hiding place as a lion in his [†]lair;

He lies in wait to catch the afflicted;

He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net.

10He [†]crouches, he [†]bows down,

And the [†]unfortunate fall [†]by his mighty ones.

11He says in his heart, “God has forgotten;

He has hidden His face; He will never see it.”

12Arise, O Yahweh; O God, lift up Your hand.

Do not forget the afflicted.

13Why has the wicked spurned God?

He has said in his heart, “You will not require it.”

14You have seen it, for You have beheld mischief and vexation to [†]take it into Your hand.

The [†]unfortunate commits himself to You;

You have been the helper of the orphan.

15Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer,

[†]Seek out his wickedness until You find none.

16Yahweh is King forever and ever;

Nations have perished from His land.

17O Yahweh, You have heard the desire of the [†]humble;

You will strengthen their heart, You will cause Your ear to give heed

18To give justice to the orphan and the oppressed,

So that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.