Psalm 10

1. Why standest Thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble?

2. The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor; let them be caught in the devices that they have contrived.

3. For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous whom the Lord abhorreth.

4. The wicked, in the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God; God is not in all his thoughts.

5. His ways are always grievous; Thy judgments are far above, out of his sight; as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.

6. He hath said in his heart, “I shall not be moved, for I shall never be in adversity.”

7. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud; under his tongue is mischief and vanity.

8. He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages; in secret places doth he murder the innocent; his eyes are privily set against the poor.

9. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den; he lieth in wait to catch the poor; he doth catch the poor when he draweth him into his net.

10. He croucheth and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.

11. He hath said in his heart, “God hath forgotten; He hideth His face, He will never see it.”

12. Arise, O Lord! O God, lift up Thine hand! Forget not the humble.

13. Why doth the wicked contemn God? He hath said in his heart, “Thou wilt not keep account.”

14. But Thou hast seen it, for Thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with Thy hand. The poor committeth himself unto Thee; Thou art the helper of the fatherless.

15. Break Thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man; seek out his wickedness until Thou find none.

16. The Lord is King for ever and ever; the heathen have perished out of His land.

17. Lord, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble; Thou wilt prepare their heart, Thou wilt cause Thine ear to hear,

18. to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.