1Why, O ETERNAL One, do You stand aloof,heedless in times of trouble?
2The wicked in their arrogance hound the lowly—may they be caught in the schemes they devise!amay they be caught in the schemes they devise Or “they (i.e., the lowly) are caught by the schemes they devised.”
3The wicked crow about their unbridled lusts;the grasping revile and scorn GOD.
4The wicked, arrogant as they are,in all their scheming [think],bThe wicked crow … their scheming [think] Meaning of Heb. uncertain. “God does not carecGod does not care Lit. “There is no God.” and does not call to account.”dClauses transposed for clarity.
5Their ways prosper at all times;Your judgments are far beyond them;they snort at all their foes.
6Such people think, “I shall not be shaken,through all time never be in trouble.”
7Their mouth is full of oaths, deceit, and fraud;mischief and evil are under their tongue.
8They lurk in outlying places;from a covert they slay the innocent;their eyes spy out the hapless.
9They wait in a covert like a lion in a lair;wait to seize the lowly;they seize the lowly as they pull their net shut;
10they stoop, they crouch,and the hapless fall prey to their might.eand the hapless fall prey to their might Meaning of Heb. uncertain.
11They think, “God is not mindful,the divine face is hidden and never looks.”
12Rise, O ETERNAL One!Strike at them,fStrike at them Lit. “Lift Your hand.” O God!Do not forget the lowly.
13Why should the wicked scorn God,thinking You do not call to account?
14You do look!You take note of mischief and vexation!To requite is in Your power.gTo requite is in Your power Meaning of Heb. uncertain. To You the hapless can entrust themselves;You have ever been the orphans’ help.
15O break the power of the wicked and evildoers,so that when You look forhlook for A play on darash, which in vv. 4 and 13 means “to call to account.” their wickednessYou will find it no more.
16GOD is sovereign for ever and ever;the nations will perish from thisithis Heb. “His.” land.
17You will listen to the entreaty of the lowly, O ETERNAL One,You will make their hearts firm;You will incline Your ear
18to champion the orphan and the downtrodden,that mere earthly mortals tyrannize no more.jthat mere earthly mortals tyrannize no more Meaning of Heb. uncertain.