Psalm 10

A Complaint About Evil People

1 Lord, why are you so far away? Why do you hide when there is trouble?

2 Proudly the wicked chase down those who suffer. Let them be caught in their own traps.

3 They brag about the things they want. They bless the greedy but hate the Lord.

4 The wicked people are too proud. They do not look for God; there is no room for God in their thoughts.

5 They always succeed. They are far from keeping your laws; they make fun of their enemies.

6 They say to themselves, “Nothing bad will ever happen to me; I will never be ruined.”

7 Their mouths are full of curses, lies, and threats; they use their tongues for sin and evil.

8 They hide near the villages. They look for innocent people to kill; they watch in secret for the helpless.

9 They wait in hiding like a lion. They wait to catch poor people; they catch the poor in nets.

10 The poor are thrown down and crushed; they are defeated because the others are stronger.

11 The wicked think, “God has forgotten us. He doesn’t see what is happening.”

12 Lord, rise up and punish the wicked. Don’t forget those who need help.

13 Why do wicked people hate God? They say to themselves, “God won’t punish us.”

14 Lord, surely you see these cruel and evil things; look at them and do something.
People in trouble look to you for help. You are the one who helps the orphans.

15 Break the power of wicked people. Punish them for the evil they have done.

16 The Lord is King forever and ever. Destroy from your land those nations that do not worship you.

17 Lord, you have heard what the poor people want. Do what they ask, and listen to them.
18 Protect the orphans and put an end to suffering so they will no longer be afraid of evil people.

Psalm 10

1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off?
Why do you pay no attention during times of trouble?

2 The wicked arrogantly chase the oppressed;
the oppressed are trapped by the schemes the wicked have dreamed up.

3 Yes, the wicked man boasts because he gets what he wants;
the one who robs others curses and rejects the Lord.

4 The wicked man is so arrogant he always thinks,
“God won’t hold me accountable; he doesn’t care.”

5 He is secure at all times.
He has no regard for your commands;
he disdains all his enemies.

6 He says to himself,
“I will never be upended,
because I experience no calamity.”

7 His mouth is full of curses and deceptive, harmful words;
his tongue injures and destroys.

8 He waits in ambush near the villages;
in hidden places he kills the innocent.
His eyes look for some unfortunate victim.

9 He lies in ambush in a hidden place, like a lion in a thicket;
he lies in ambush, waiting to catch the oppressed;
he catches the oppressed by pulling in his net.

10 His victims are crushed and beaten down;
they are trapped in his sturdy nets.

11 He says to himself,
“God overlooks it;
he does not pay attention;
he never notices.”

12 Rise up, Lord!
O God, strike him down!
Do not forget the oppressed!

13 Why does the wicked man reject God?
He says to himself, “You will not hold me accountable.”

14 You have taken notice,
for you always see one who inflicts pain and suffering.
The unfortunate victim entrusts his cause to you;
you deliver the fatherless.

15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man!
Hold him accountable for his wicked deeds,
which he thought you would not discover.

16 The Lord rules forever!
The nations are driven out of his land.

17 Lord, you have heard the request of the oppressed;
you make them feel secure because you listen to their prayer.

18 You defend the fatherless and oppressed,
so that mere mortals may no longer terrorize them.