Dual Panel1WHY DO You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide Yourself, [veiling Your eyes] in times of trouble (distress and desperation)?
2The wicked in pride {and} arrogance hotly pursue {and} persecute the poor; let them be taken in the schemes which they have devised.
3For the wicked {man} boasts (sings the praises) of his own heart's desire, and the one greedy for gain curses {and} spurns, yes, renounces {and} despises the Lord.
4The wicked one in the pride of his countenance will not seek, inquire for, {and} yearn for God; all his thoughts are that there is no God [so He never punishes].
5His ways are grievous [or persist] at all times; Your judgments [Lord] are far above {and} on high out of his sight [so he never thinks about them]; as for all his foes, he sniffs {and} sneers at them.
6He thinks in his heart, I shall not be moved; for throughout all generations I shall not come to want {or} be in adversity.
7His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, oppression (fraud); under his tongue are trouble and sin (mischief and iniquity).
8He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he slays the innocent; he watches stealthily for the poor (the helpless and unfortunate).
9He lurks in secret places like a lion in his thicket; he lies in wait that he may seize the poor (the helpless and the unfortunate); he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.
10[The prey] is crushed, sinks down; and the helpless falls by his mighty [claws].
11[The foe] thinks in his heart, God has quite forgotten; He has hidden His face; He will never see [my deed].
12Arise, O Lord! O God, lift up Your hand; forget not the humble [patient and crushed].
13Why does the wicked [man] condemn (spurn and renounce) God? Why has he thought in his heart, You will not call to account?
14You have seen it; yes, You note trouble and grief (vexation) to requite it with Your hand. The unfortunate commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.
15Break the arm of the wicked man; and as for the evil man, search out his wickedness until You find no more.
16The Lord is King forever and ever; the nations will perish out of His land.
17O Lord, You have heard the desire {and} the longing of the humble {and} oppressed; You will prepare {and} strengthen {and} direct their hearts, You will cause Your ear to hear,
18To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man, who is of the earth, may not terrify them any more.