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