Psalm 10

Psalm 10

1 O LORD, why do you stand so far away?
Why do you hide when I am in trouble?2 The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor.
Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others.3 For they brag about their evil desires;
they praise the greedy and curse the LORD.4 The wicked are too proud to seek God.
They seem to think that God is dead.5 Yet they succeed in everything they do.
They do not see your punishment awaiting them.
They sneer at all their enemies.6 They think, “Nothing bad will ever happen to us!
We will be free of trouble forever!”7 Their mouths are full of cursing, lies, and threats.t
Trouble and evil are on the tips of their tongues.8 They lurk in ambush in the villages,
waiting to murder innocent people.
They are always searching for helpless victims.9 Like lions crouched in hiding,
they wait to pounce on the helpless.
Like hunters they capture the helpless
and drag them away in nets.10 Their helpless victims are crushed;
they fall beneath the strength of the wicked.11 The wicked think, “God isn’t watching us!
He has closed his eyes and won’t even see what we do!”12 Arise, O LORD!
Punish the wicked, O God!
Do not ignore the helpless!13 Why do the wicked get away with despising God?
They think, “God will never call us to account.”14 But you see the trouble and grief they cause.
You take note of it and punish them.
The helpless put their trust in you.
You defend the orphans.15 Break the arms of these wicked, evil people!
Go after them until the last one is destroyed.16 The LORD is king forever and ever!
The godless nations will vanish from the land.17 LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless.
Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.18 You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed,
so mere people can no longer terrify them.

PSALMS 10

A Prayer for Help

1 Why are you far away, [Lord]?
Why do you hide yourself
when I am in trouble?

2 Proud and brutal people
hunt down the poor.
But let them get caught
by their own evil plans!

3 The wicked brag about
their deepest desires.
Those greedy people hate
and curse you, [Lord].

4 The wicked are too proud
to turn to you
or even think about you.

5 They are always successful,
though they can't understand
your teachings,
and they keep sneering
at their enemies.

6 In their hearts they say,
“Nothing can hurt us!
We'll always be happy
and free from trouble.”

7  t They curse and tell lies,
and all they talk about
is how to be cruel
or how to do wrong.

8 They hide outside villages,
waiting to strike and murder
some innocent victim.

9 They are hungry lions
hiding in the bushes,
hoping to catch
some helpless passerby.
They trap the poor in nets
and drag them away.

10 They crouch down and wait
to 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 arm
to 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 trouble
and the distress,
and you will do something.
The poor can count on you,
and so can orphans.

15 Now break the power
of all merciless people.
Punish them for doing wrong
and make them stop.

16 Our [Lord], you will always rule,
but every godless nation
will vanish from the earth.

17 You listen to the longings
of those who suffer.
You offer them hope,
and you pay attention
to their cries for help.

18 You defend orphans
and everyone else in need,
so that no one on earth
can terrify others again.