Psalm 10
Need for God’s Justice
1 LORD, V,W why do you stand so far away? d
Why do you hide in times of trouble? e
2 In arrogance the wicked relentlessly pursue their victims;
let them be caught in the schemes they have devised. f
3 For the wicked one boasts about his own cravings; g
the one who is greedy curses X and despises the LORD. h
the wicked person arrogantly thinks, Y
“There’s no accountability,
since there’s no God.” i
5 His ways are always secure; Z
your lofty judgments have no effect on him; A
he scoffs at all his adversaries. j
6 He says to himself, “I will never be moved—
from generation to generation without calamity.” k
7 Cursing, deceit, and violence fill his mouth;
trouble and malice are under his tongue. l
8 He waits in ambush near settlements; m
he kills the innocent in secret places.
His eyes are on the lookout for the helpless; n
9 he lurks in secret like a lion in a thicket.
He lurks in order to seize a victim;
he seizes a victim and drags him in his net.
10 So he is oppressed and beaten down;
helpless people fall because of the wicked one’s strength. o
11 He says to himself, “God has forgotten;
he hides his face and will never see.” p
12 Rise up, LORD God! Lift up your hand. q
Do not forget the oppressed. r
13 Why has the wicked person despised God?
He says to himself, “You will not demand an account.” s
14 But you yourself have seen trouble and grief,
observing it in order to take the matter into your hands. t
The helpless one entrusts himself to you;
you are a helper of the fatherless. u
15 Break the arm of the wicked, evil person, v
until you look for his wickedness,
but it can’t be found. w
16 The LORD is King forever and ever; x
the nations will perish from his land. y
17 LORD, you have heard the desire of the humble;
you will strengthen their hearts.
You will listen carefully, z
18 doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed
so that mere humans from the earth may terrify them no more. a