The Perils of the Pilgrim
10Why, O Lord, do You stand far off?
Why do You hide in times of trouble?
2In pride the wicked pursue the needy;
let them be caught in the schemes they devise.
3For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart;
he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.
4In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him;
in all his schemes there is no God.
5He is secure in his ways at all times;
Your lofty judgments are far from him;
he sneers at all his foes.
6He says to himself, “I will not be moved;
from age to age I am free of distress.”
7His mouth is full of cursing, deceit,a and violence;
trouble and malice are under his tongue.
8He lies in wait near the villages;
in ambush he slays the innocent;
his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless.
9He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket;
he lurks to seize the oppressed;
he catches the lowly in his net.
10They are crushed and beaten down;b
the hapless fall prey to his strength.
11He says to himself, “God has forgotten;
He hides His face and never sees.”
12Arise, O Lord! Lift up Your hand, O God!
Do not forget the helpless.
13Why has the wicked man renounced God?
He says to himself, “You will never call me to account.”
14But 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.
15Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;
call him to account for his wickedness
until none is left to be found.
16The Lord is King forever and ever;
the nations perish from His land.
17You have heard, O Lord, the desire of the humble;
You will strengthen their hearts.
You will incline Your ear,
18to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed,
that the men of the earth
may strike terror no more.