Psalms 10

1 Why stand you afar off, O Lord? [why] do you overlook [us] in times of need, in affliction?

Why do you stand far off, Adonai? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

2 While the ungodly one acts proudly, the poor is hotly pursued: [the wicked] are taken in the crafty counsels which they imagine.

In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak. They are caught in the schemes that they devise.

3 Because the sinner praises himself for the desires of his heart; and the unjust one blesses himself.

For the wicked boasts of his heart’s cravings. He blesses the greedy, and condemns Adonai.

4 The sinner has provoked the Lord: according to the abundance of his pride he will not seek after [him]: God is not before him.

The wicked, in the pride of his face, has no room in his thoughts for God.

5 His ways are profane at all times; your judgments are removed from before him: he will gain the mastery over all his enemies.

His ways are prosperous at all times. He is haughty, and your judgments are far from his sight. As for all his adversaries, he sneers at them.

6 For he has said in his heart, I shall not be moved, [continuing] without evil from generation to generation.

He says in his heart, “I shall not be shaken. For generations I shall have no trouble.”

7 Whose mouth is full of cursing, and bitterness, and fraud: under his tongue are trouble and pain.

His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

8 He lies in wait with rich [men] in secret places, in order to kill the innocent: his eyes are set against the poor.

He lies in wait near the villages. From ambushes, he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against the helpless.

9 He lies in wait in secret as a lion in his den: he lies in wait to ravish the poor, to ravish the poor when he draws him [after him]: he will bring him down in his snare.

He lurks in secret as a lion in his ambush. He lies in wait to catch the helpless. He catches the helpless, when he draws him in his net.

10 He will bow down and fall when he has mastered the poor.

The helpless are crushed. They collapse. They fall under his strength.

11 For he has said in his heart, God has forgotten: he has turned away his face so as never to look.

He says in his heart, “God has forgotten. He hides his face. He will never see it.”

12 Arise, O Lord God; let your hand be lifted up: forget not the poor.

Arise, Adonai! God, lift up your hand! Don’t forget the helpless.

13 Therefore, has the wicked provoked God? for he has said in his heart, He will not require [it].

Why does the wicked person condemn God, and say in his heart, “God won’t call me into account?”

14 You see [it]; for you do observe trouble and wrath, to deliver them into your hands: the poor has been left to you; you were a helper to the orphan.

But you do see trouble and grief. You consider it to take it into your hand. You help the victim and the fatherless.

15 Break you the arm of the sinner and wicked man: his sin shall be sought for, and shall not be found.

Break the arm of the wicked. As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none.

16 The Lord shall reign for ever, even for ever and ever: you Gentiles shall perish out his land.

Adonai is King forever and ever! The nations will perish out of his land.

17 The Lord has heard the desire of the poor: your ear has inclined to the preparation of their heart;

Adonai, you have sh'ma ·heard obeyed· the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart. You will cause your ear to hear,

18 to plead for the orphan and afflicted, that man may no more boast upon the earth.

to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that man who is of the earth may terrify no more.