1 Why are you far away, Lord?Why do you hide yourselfwhen I am in trouble?
2 Proud and brutal peoplehunt down the poor.But let them get caughtby their own evil plans!
3 The wicked brag abouttheir deepest desires.Those greedy people hateand curse you, Lord.
4 The wicked are too proudto turn to youor even think about you.
5 They are always successful,though they can't understandyour teachings,and they keep sneeringat their enemies.
6 In their hearts they say,“Nothing can hurt us!We'll always be happyand free from trouble.”
7 They curse and tell lies,and all they talk aboutis how to be cruelor how to do wrong.
8 They hide outside villages,waiting to strike and murdersome innocent victim.
9 They are hungry lionshiding in the bushes,hoping to catchsome helpless passerby.They trap the poor in netsand drag them away.
10 They crouch down and waitto grab a victim.
11 They say, “God can't see!He's got on a blindfold.”
12 Do something, Lord God,and use your powerful armto help those in need.
13 The wicked don't respect you.In their hearts they say,“God won't punish us!”
14 But you see the troubleand the distress,and you will do something.The poor can count on you,and so can orphans.
15 Now break the powerof all merciless people.Punish them for doing wrongand make them stop.
16 Our Lord, you will always rule,but every godless nationwill vanish from the earth.
17 You listen to the longingsof those who suffer.You offer them hope,and you pay attentionto their cries for help.
18 You defend orphansand everyone else in need,so that no one on earthcan terrify others again.