Psalms 10 — AAB

The Perils of the Pilgrim

10Verse 1Why, O LORD, do You stand far off?Why do You hide in times of trouble?^{Verse 2}In pride the wicked pursue the needy;let them be caught in the schemes they devise.^{Verse 3}For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart;he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.^{Verse 4}In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him;in all his schemes there is no God.^{Verse 5}He is secure in his ways at all times;Your lofty judgments are far from him;
he sneers at all his foes.^{Verse 6}He says to himself, “I will not be moved;from age to age I am free of distress.”^{Verse 7}His mouth is full of cursing, deceit,⁺and violence;trouble and malice are under his tongue.^{Verse 8}He lies in wait near the villages;in ambush he slays the innocent;
his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless.^{Verse 9}He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket;he lurks to seize the oppressed;
he catches the lowly in his net.^{Verse 10}They are crushed and beaten down;⁺the helpless fall prey to his strength.^{Verse 11}He says to himself, “God has forgotten;He hides His face and never sees.”^{Verse 12}Arise, O LORD! Lift up Your hand, O God!Do not forget the helpless.^{Verse 13}Why has the wicked man renounced God?He says to himself, “You will never call me to account.”^{Verse 14}But You have regarded trouble and grief;You see to repay it by Your hand.The victim entrusts himself to You;You are the helper of the fatherless.^{Verse 15}Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;call him to account for his wickedness
until none is left to be found.^{Verse 16}The LORD is King forever and ever;the nations perish from His land.^{Verse 17}You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble;You will strengthen their hearts.You will incline Your ear,^{Verse 18}to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed,that the men of the earthmay strike terror no more.