1
Why do You stand afar off, O LORD?
Why do You hide in times of trouble?
2
The wicked in his pride 1 persecutes the poor;
a Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.
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For the wicked b boasts of his heart's desire;
2 He c blesses the greedy and renounces the LORD.
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The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God;
3 God is in none of his d thoughts.
5
His ways 4 are always prospering;
Your judgments are far above, out of his sight;
As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.
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e He has said in his heart, "I shall not be moved;
f I shall never be in adversity."
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g His mouth is full of cursing and h deceit and oppression;
Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity.
8
He sits in the lurking places of the villages;
In the secret places he murders the innocent;
His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.
9
He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den;
He lies in wait to catch the poor;
He catches the poor when he draws him into his net.
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So 5 he crouches, he lies low,
That the helpless may fall by his 6 strength.
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He has said in his heart,
"God has forgotten;
He hides His face;
He will never see."
12
Arise, O LORD!
O God, i lift up Your hand!
Do not forget the j humble.
13
Why do the wicked renounce God?
He has said in his heart,
"You will not require an account."
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But You have k seen, for You observe trouble and grief,
To repay it by Your hand.
The helpless l commits 7 himself to You;
m You are the helper of the fatherless.
15
Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man;
Seek out his wickedness until You find none.
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n The LORD is King forever and ever;
The nations have perished out of His land.
17
LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will prepare their heart;
You will cause Your ear to hear,
18
To 8 do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
That the man of the earth may 9 oppress no more.