[1] Why do you keep far away, O Lord? why are you not to be seen in times
of trouble? [2] The evil-doer in his pride is cruel to the poor; let him be
taken by the tricks of his invention. [3] For the evil-doer is lifted up
because of the purpose of his heart, and he whose mind is fixed on wealth
is turned away from the Lord, saying evil against him. [4] The evil-doer in
his pride says, God will not make a search. All his thoughts are, There is
no God. [5] His ways are ever fixed; your decisions are higher than he may
see: as for his haters, they are as nothing to him. [6] He has said in his
heart, I will not be moved: through all generations I will never be in
trouble. [7] His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and false words: under
his tongue are evil purposes and dark thoughts. [8] He is waiting in the
dark places of the towns: in the secret places he puts to death those who
have done no wrong: his eyes are secretly turned against the poor. [9] He
keeps himself in a secret place like a lion in his hole, waiting to put his
hands on the poor man, and pulling him into his net. [10] The upright are
crushed and made low, and the feeble are overcome by his strong ones. [11]
He says in his heart, God has no memory of me: his face is turned away; he
will never see it. [12] Up! O Lord; let your hand be lifted: give thought
to the poor. [13] Why has the evil-doer a low opinion of God, saying in his
heart, You will not make search for it? [14] You have seen it; for your
eyes are on sorrow and grief, to take it into your hand: the poor man puts
his faith in you; you have been the helper of the child who has no father.
[15] Let the arm of the sinner and the evil-doer be broken; go on searching
for his sin till there is no more. [16] The Lord is King for ever and ever;
the nations are gone from his land. [17] Lord, you have given ear to the
prayer of the poor: you will make strong their hearts, you will give them a
hearing: [18] To give decision for the child without a father and for the
broken-hearted, so that the man of the earth may no longer be feared.
