A Song of Confidence in God’s Triumph over Evil
Why do You stand afar off, O Lord?
Why do You hide in times of trouble?
2 The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor;
aLet them be caught in the plots which they have devised.
3 For the wicked aboasts of his heart’s desire;
He bblesses the greedy and renounces the Lord.
4 The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God;
God is in none of his athoughts.
5 His ways are always prospering;
Your judgments are far above, out of his sight;
As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.
6 aHe has said in his heart, “I shall not be moved;
bI shall never be in adversity.”
7 aHis mouth is full of cursing and bdeceit 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.
10 So he crouches, he lies low,
That the helpless may fall by his strength.
11 He has said in his heart,
“God has forgotten;
He hides His face;
He will never see.”
12 Arise, O Lord!
O God, alift up Your hand!
Do not forget the bhumble.
13 Why do the wicked renounce God?
He has said in his heart,
“You will not require an account.”
14 But You have aseen, for You observe trouble and grief,
To repay it by Your hand.
The helpless bcommits himself to You;
cYou 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.
16 aThe 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 do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
That the man of the earth may oppress no more.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved.