Why Do You Stand Far Off?

Verses 1–13 · God seems distant while the wicked prosper

1. ^{verse 1}Why, O LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide in times of trouble?
2. ^{verse 2}In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise.
3. ^{verse 3}For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
4. ^{verse 4}In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God.
5. ^{verse 5}He is secure in his ways at all times; Your lofty judgments are far from him; he sneers at all his foes.
6. ^{verse 6}He says to himself, “I will not be moved; from age to age I am free of distress.”
7. ^{verse 7}His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.
8. ^{verse 8}He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless.
9. ^{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.
10. ^{verse 10}They are crushed and beaten down; the helpless fall prey to his strength.
11. ^{verse 11}He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He hides His face and never sees.”
12. ^{verse 12}Arise, O LORD! Lift up Your hand, O God! Do not forget the helpless.
13. ^{verse 13}Why has the wicked man renounced God? He says to himself, “You will never call me to account.”

Verses 14–18 · God sees and hears the afflicted

1. ^{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.
2. ^{verse 15}Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call him to account for his wickedness until none is left to be found.
3. ^{verse 16}The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations perish from His land.
4. ^{verse 17}You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline Your ear,
5. ^{verse 18}to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed, that the men of the earth may strike terror no more.