Psalm 10

1Why, Yahweh, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

2In his arrogance the wicked hotly pursues the afflicted; let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.

3For the wicked boasts of the cravings of his heart, and the greedy one curses and spurns Yahweh.

4In his pride the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

5His ways always prosper; your judgments are high above, out of his sight; he sneers at all his foes.

6He says in his heart, “I will not be shaken; through all generations I will never meet trouble.”

7His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression; under his tongue are trouble and wickedness.

8He sits in ambush near the villages; from hiding places he murders the innocent; his eyes watch in secret for the helpless.

9He lies in wait in hiding like a lion in its den; he lies in wait to seize the afflicted; he seizes the afflicted and drags them off in his net.

10They are crushed, they sink down; the helpless fall under his strength.

11He says in his heart, “God has forgotten; he has hidden his face; he will never see.”

12Rise up, Yahweh! God, lift up your hand! Do not forget the afflicted.

13Why does the wicked spurn God? Why does he say in his heart, “You will not call me to account”?

14But you do see! You take note of trouble and grief, to take it into your hand. The helpless entrust themselves to you; you have been the helper of the fatherless.

15Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer; call his wickedness to account until you find no more.

16Yahweh is King forever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.

17Yahweh, you have heard the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will turn your ear to them,

18to bring justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere mortals of the earth may no longer strike terror.