1. Lord, why do You stand so far away? Why do You hide in times of trouble?
2. In arrogance the wicked relentlessly pursue the afflicted;let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.
3. For the wicked one boasts about his own cravings; the one who is greedy curses and despises the Lord.
4. In all his scheming,the wicked arrogantly thinks: “There is no accountability,since God does not exist.”
5. His ways are always secure; Your lofty judgments are beyond his sight;he scoffs at all his adversaries.
6. He says to himself, “I will never be moved —from generation to generation without calamity.”
7. Cursing, deceit, and violence fill his mouth;trouble and malice are under his tongue.
8. He waits in ambush near the villages; he kills the innocent in secret places.His eyes are on the lookout for the helpless;
9. he lurks in secret like a lion in a thicket.He lurks in order to seize the afflicted;he seizes the afflicted and drags him in his net.
10. So he is oppressed and beaten down;the helpless fall because of his strength.
11. He says to himself, “God has forgotten;He hides His face and will never see.”