Psalm 10: Ut quid, Domine?

Why do you stand so far off, O LORD, *

and hide yourself in time of trouble?

The wicked arrogantly persecute the poor, *

but they are trapped in the schemes they have devised.

The wicked boast of their heart's desire; *

the covetous curse and revile the LORD.

The wicked are so proud that they care not for God; *

their only thought is, "God does not matter."

Their ways are devious at all times;

your judgments are far above out of their sight; *

they defy all their enemies.

They say in their heart, "I shall not be shaken; *

no harm shall happen to me ever."

Their mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression; *

under their tongue are mischief and wrong.

They lurk in ambush in public squares

and in secret places they murder the innocent; *

they spy out the helpless.

They lie in wait, like a lion in a covert;

they lie in wait to seize upon the lowly; *

they seize the lowly and drag them away in their net.

The innocent are broken and humbled before them; *

the helpless fall before their power.

They say in their heart, "God has forgotten; *

he hides his face; he will never notice."

Rise up, O LORD;

lift up your hand, O God; *

do not forget the afflicted.

Why should the wicked revile God? *

why should they say in their heart, "You do not care"?

Surely, you behold trouble and misery; *

you see it and take it into your own hand.

The helpless commit themselves to you, *

for you are the helper of orphans.

Break the power of the wicked and evil; *

search out their wickedness until you find none.

The LORD is King for ever and ever; *

the ungodly shall perish from his land.

The LORD will hear the desire of the humble; *

you will strengthen their heart and your ears shall hear;

To give justice to the orphan and oppressed, *

so that mere mortals may strike terror no more.