1Why standest thou afar off , O Jehovah ? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble ? 2In the pride of the wicked the poor is hotly pursued ; Let them be taken in the devices that they have conceived .
The Character of the Wicked
3For the wicked boasteth of his heart ’s desire , And the covetous renounceth, yea , contemneth Jehovah . 4The wicked , in the pride of his countenance, saith , He will not require it . All his thoughts are , There is no God. 5His ways are firm at all times ; Thy judgments are far above out of his sight : As for all his adversaries , he puffeth at them . 6He saith in his heart , I shall not be moved ; To all generations I shall not be in adversity . 7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression : Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity .
The Silence of God
8He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages ; In the secret places doth he murder the innocent ; His eyes are privily set against the helpless. 9He lurketh in secret as a lion in his covert ; He lieth in wait to catch the poor : He doth catch the poor , when he draweth him in his net . 10He croucheth , he boweth down , And the helpless fall by his strong ones . 11He saith in his heart : God hath forgotten ; He hideth his face , he will never see it .
A Call for Justice
12Arise , O Jehovah ; O God , lift up thy hand : Forget not the poor . 13Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God , And say in his heart , Thou wilt not require it ? 14Thou hast seen it ; for thou beholdest mischief and spite , to requite it with thy hand : The helpless committeth himself unto thee ; Thou hast been the helper of the fatherless . 15Break thou the arm of the wicked ; And as for the evil man , seek out his wickedness till thou find none .
The Assurance of God's Sovereignty
16Jehovah is King for ever and ever : The nations are perished out of his land. 17Jehovah , thou hast heard the desire of the meek : Thou wilt prepare their heart , thou wilt cause thine ear to hear ; 18To judge the fatherless and the oppressed , That man who is of the earth may be terrible no more .