1. Wherefore is it that thou, O Lord,dost stand from us afar?And wherefore hidest thou thyself,when times so troublous are?
2. The wicked in his loftinessdoth persecute the poor:In these devices they have fram'dlet them be taken sure.
3. The wicked of his heart's desiredoth talk with boasting great;He blesseth him that's covetous,whom yet the Lord doth hate.
4. The wicked, through his pride of face,on God he doth not call;And in the counsels of his heartthe Lord is not at all.
5. His ways they always grievous are;thy judgments from his sightRemoved are: at all his foeshe puffeth with despight.
6. Within his heart he thus hath said,I shall not moved be;And no adversity at allshall ever come to me.
7. His mouth with cursing, fraud, deceit,is fill'd abundantly;And underneath his tongue there ismischief and vanity.
8. He closely sits in villages;he slays the innocent:Against the poor that pass him byhis cruel eyes are bent.
9. He, lion-like, lurks in his den;he waits the poor to take;And when he draws him in his net,his prey he doth him make.
10. Himself he humbleth very low,he croucheth down withal,That so a multitude of poormay by his strong ones fall.
11. He thus hath said within his heart,The Lord hath quite forgot;He hides his countenance, and hefor ever sees it not.