A Prayer for the Overthrow of the Wicked.
1 Why do You stand far away, O Lord?
Why do You hide [Yourself, veiling Your eyes] in times of trouble?
2 In prideandarrogance the wicked hotly pursueandpersecute the afflicted;
Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.
3 For the wicked boastsandsings the praises of his heart’s desire,
And the greedy man curses and spurns [and even despises] the Lord.
4 The wicked, in the haughtiness of his face, will not seeknorinquire forHim;
All his thoughts are, “There is no God [so there is no accountability or punishment].”
5 His ways prosper at all times;
Your judgments [Lord] are on high, out of his sight [so he never thinks about them];
As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.
6 He says to himself, “I will not be moved;
For throughout all generations I will not be in adversity [for nothing bad will happen to me].”
7 His mouth is full of curses and deceit (fraud) and oppression;
Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness [injustice and sin].
8 He lurks in ambush in the villages;
In hiding places he kills the innocent;
He lies in wait for the unfortunate [the unhappy, the poor, the helpless].
9 He lurks in a hiding place like a lion in his lair;
He lies in wait to catch the afflicted;
He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net.
10 He crushes [his prey] and crouches;
And the unfortunate fall by his mightyclaws.
11 He says to himself, “God has [quite] forgotten;
He has hidden His face; He will never see my deed.”
12 Arise, O Lord! O God, lift up Your hand [in judgment];
Do not forget the suffering.
13 Why has the wicked spurnedandshown disrespect to God?
He has said to himself, “You will not require me to account.”
14 You have seen it, for You have noted mischief and vexation (irritation) to take it into Your hand.
The unfortunate commitshimselfto You;
You are the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer,
Seek out his wickedness until You find no more.
16 The Lordis King forever and ever;
The nations will perish from His land.
17 O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humbleandoppressed;
You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to hear,
18 To vindicateandobtain justice for the fatherless and the oppressed,
So that man who is of the earth will no longer terrify them.