1Why do you stand so far away, Yahweh? Why do you hide yourself when there’s trouble?
2Proudly, the wicked hunt down the weak. They get caught in the plans they make.
3The wicked brag about what their hearts desire. They praise greedy people and curse Yahweh.
4The wicked, in their pride, don’t think about God at all.
5They always succeed. They are arrogant, and ignore your laws. They sneer at all their enemies.
6They say to themselves, “I will never be shaken. For generations, I will have no trouble.”
7Their mouth is full of curses, lies, and abuse. Under their tongue are trouble and evil.
8They lie in wait near villages. From hidden places, they murder innocent people. They secretly watch out for the helpless.
9They lurk in secret like a lion in its hiding place. They lie in wait to catch the helpless. They catch the helpless when they pull them into their net.
10The helpless are crushed. They collapse. They fall victim to his strength.
11He says to himself, “God has forgotten. He is hiding. He will never see it.”
12Rise up, Yahweh! God, raise your hand! Don’t forget the helpless.
13Why do wicked people criticize God and say to themselves, “God won’t hold me accountable?”
14But you do see trouble and sadness. You take note of it to handle it yourself. You help the victim and the fatherless.
15Break the power of the wicked. As for the evil person, pursue his wickedness until none is left.
16Yahweh is King forever and ever! The nations will disappear from his land.
17Yahweh, you have heard what humble people long for. You will prepare their hearts. You will listen,
18to bring justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that people from the earth may no longer cause terror.