1 Why standest thou afar off, O LORD ? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble ?
2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor : let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined .
3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire , and blesseth the covetous , whom the LORD abhorreth .
4 The wicked , through the pride of his countenance , will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts .
5 His ways are always grievous ; thy judgments are far above out of his sight : as for all his enemies , he puffeth at them .
6 He hath said in his heart , I shall not be moved : for I shall never be in adversity .
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud : under his tongue is mischief and vanity .
8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages : in the secret places doth he murder the innocent : his eyes are privily set against the poor .
9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor : he doth catch the poor , when he draweth him into his net.
10 He croucheth , and humbleth himself , that the poor may fall by his strong ones .
11 He hath said in his heart , God hath forgotten : he hideth his face ; he will never see it.
12 Arise , O LORD ; O God, lift up thine hand : forget not the humble .
13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart , Thou wilt not require it.
14 Thou hast seen it: for thou beholdest mischief and spite , to requite it with thy hand : the poor committeth himself unto thee ; thou art the helper of the fatherless .
15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none .
16 The LORD is King for ever and ever : the heathen are perished out of his land .
17 LORD , thou hast heard the desire of the humble : thou wilt prepare their heart , thou wilt cause thine ear to hear :
18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed , that the man of the earth may no more oppress .