Psalms 10 The Boldness of Persecutors, and the Refuge of God

 Psalms 10

The Boldness of Persecutors, and the Refuge of God

1 Why do you stand far away, O Lord? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

2 The wicked in their arrogance pursue the poor; let them be caught in the snares they have devised.

3 For the wicked boasts of his soul's desire; he blesses the greedy, but blasphemes the Lord.

4 Because of his pride, the wicked does not seek; all his thoughts are, "There is no God."

5 His ways are always tormenting; your judgments are far from him, on a great height; he despises his adversaries.

6 He says in his heart, "I will not be moved, for I will never be in trouble."

7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and craftiness; Under his tongue is mischief and evil.

 8 He stands in the thickets of the villages; in secret places he kills the innocent; his eyes are hidden on the poor. 

9 He lies in wait in secret places, like a lion in his den; he lies in wait to rob the poor; he takes them captive in his net. 

10 He crouches and stoops, so that the poor may fall into his strong grasp.

 11 He says in his heart, "God has forgotten; he has covered his face, and he will never see."

 12 Arise, O Lord; lift up your hand, O God; do not forget the needy. 

13 Why does the wicked blaspheme God, saying in his heart, "You will not inquire?" 

14 You have seen it, because you look on toil and trouble, to take them under your hand; the poor commit themselves to you; You are the help of the fatherless.

15 Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer; search out his wickedness until you find none.

16 The Lord is King forever; the nations will be cut off from his land.

17 O Lord, you have heard the desire of the meek; you will strengthen their hearts; your ears will be open to them;

18 To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth will no longer use violence.