Chapter 10

¹Why do you stand far off, Yahweh?

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

²In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak;

They are caught in the schemes that they devise.

³For the wicked boasts of his heart’s cravings,

He blesses the greedy, and condemns Yahweh.

⁴The wicked, in the pride of his face,

Has no room in his thoughts for God.

⁵His ways are prosperous at all times;

He is haughty, and your laws are far from his sight:

As for all his adversaries, he sneers at them.

⁶He says in his heart, “I shall not be shaken;

For generations I shall have no trouble.”

⁷His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression.

Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

⁸He lies in wait near the villages.

From ambushes, he murders the innocent.

His eyes are secretly set against the helpless.

⁹He lurks in secret as a lion in his ambush.

He lies in wait to catch the helpless.

He catches the helpless, when he draws him in his net.

¹⁰The helpless are crushed, they collapse,

They fall under his strength.

¹¹He says in his heart, “God has forgotten.

He hides his face. He will never see it.”

¹²Arise, Yahweh!

God, lift up your hand!

Don’t forget the helpless.

¹³Why does the wicked person condemn God,

And say in his heart, “God won’t call me into account?”

¹⁴But you do see trouble and grief;

You consider it to take it into your hand.

You help the victim and the fatherless.

¹⁵Break the arm of the wicked.

As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none.

¹⁶Yahweh is King forever and ever!

The nations will perish out of his land.

¹⁷Yahweh, you have heard the desire of the humble.

You will prepare their heart.

You will cause your ear to hear,

¹⁸To judge the fatherless and the oppressed,

That man who is of the earth may terrify no more.