*Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you pay no attention during times of trouble? *The wicked arrogantly chase the oppressed; the oppressed are trapped by the schemes the wicked have dreamed up. *Yes, the wicked man boasts because he gets what he wants; the one who robs others curses and rejects the Lord. *The wicked man is so arrogant he always thinks, “God won’t hold me accountable; he doesn’t care.” *He is secure at all times. He has no regard for your commands; he disdains all his enemies. *He says to himself, “I will never be upended, because I experience no calamity.” *His mouth is full of curses and deceptive, harmful words; his tongue injures and destroys. *He waits in ambush near the villages; in hidden places he kills the innocent. His eyes look for some unfortunate victim. *He lies in ambush in a hidden place, like a lion in a thicket; he lies in ambush, waiting to catch the oppressed; he catches the oppressed by pulling in his net. *His victims are crushed and beaten down; they are trapped in his sturdy nets. *He says to himself, “God overlooks it; he does not pay attention; he never notices.” *Rise up, Lord! O God, strike him down! Do not forget the oppressed!*Why does the wicked man reject God? He says to himself, “You will not hold me accountable.” *You have taken notice, for you always see one who inflicts pain and suffering. The unfortunate victim entrusts his cause to you; you deliver the fatherless. *Break the arm of the wicked and evil man! Hold him accountable for his wicked deeds, which he thought you would not discover. *The Lord rules forever! The nations are driven out of his land. *Lord, you have heard the request of the oppressed; you make them feel secure because you listen to their prayer. *You defend the fatherless and oppressed, so that mere mortals may no longer terrorize them.
