The Book of Psalms
Psalms 10
The Perils of the Pilgrim
Why, O LORD, do You stand far off?Why do You hide in times of trouble?
In pride the wicked pursue the needy;let them be caught in the schemes they devise.
For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart;he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him;in all his schemes there is no God.
He is secure in his ways at all times;Your lofty judgments are far from him;he sneers at all his foes.
He says to himself,“ I will not be moved;from age to age I am free of distress.”
His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence;trouble and malice are under his tongue.LXX bitterness; cited in Romans 3:14
He lies in wait near the villages;in ambush he slays the innocent;his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless.
He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket;he lurks to seize the oppressed;he catches the lowly in his net.
They are crushed and beaten down;the helpless fall prey to his strength.Or He crouches and lies low
He says to himself,“ God has forgotten;He hides His face and never sees.”
Arise, O LORD! Lift up Your hand, O God!Do not forget the helpless.
Why has the wicked man renounced God?He says to himself,“ You will never call me to account.”
But You have regarded trouble and grief;You see to repay it by Your hand.The victim entrusts himself to You;You are the helper of the fatherless.
Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;call him to account for his wickednessuntil none is left to be found.
The LORD is King forever and ever;the nations perish from His land.
You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble;You will strengthen their hearts.You will incline Your ear,
to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed,that the men of the earthmay strike terror no more.