Psalm 10. Ut quid, Domine?

1. Why do you stand so far off, O Lord, *
   and hide yourself in time of trouble?
2. The wicked arrogantly persecute the poor, *
   but they are trapped in the schemes they have devised.
3. The wicked boast of their heart's desire; *
   the covetous curse and revile the Lord.
4. The wicked are so proud that they care not for God; *
   their only thought is, "God does not matter."
5. Their ways are devious at all times; your judgments are far above out of their sight; *
   they defy all their enemies.
6. They say in their heart, "I shall not be shaken; *
   no harm shall happen to me ever."
7. Their mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression; *
   under their tongue are mischief and wrong.
8. They lurk in ambush in public squares and in secret places they murder the innocent; *
   they spy out the helpless.
9. 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.
10. The innocent are broken and humbled before them; *
    the helpless fall before their power.
11. They say in their heart, "God has forgotten; *
    he hides his face; he will never notice."
12. Rise up, O Lord; lift up your hand, O God; *
    do not forget the afflicted.
13. Why should the wicked revile God? *
    why should they say in their heart, "You do not care"?
14. Surely, you behold trouble and misery; *
    you see it and take it into your own hand.
15. The helpless commit themselves to you, *
    for you are the helper of orphans.
16. Break the power of the wicked and evil; *
    search out their wickedness until you find none.
17. The Lord is King for ever and ever; *
    the ungodly shall perish from his land.
18. The Lord will hear the desire of the humble; *
    you will strengthen their heart and your ears shall hear;
19. To give justice to the orphan and oppressed, *
    so that mere mortals may strike terror no more.