Why do you remain so distant, LORD? Why do you hide when troubles come? Through arrogance, the wicked relentlessly pursue the poor; Let them be trapped in the very schemes they devise. For the wicked celebrate their deepest cravings; They praise the greedy while rejecting the LORD. In their arrogance, the wicked refuse to seek; Their every thought declares "There is no God." Their paths seem always secure; Your judgments remain far above, beyond their view; They mock all who stand against them. They tell themselves, "Nothing can shake me; No harm will ever find me through all my days." Their mouths overflow with curses, lies, and threats; Beneath their tongue lurk harm and wrongdoing. They crouch in village shadows; From hidden places they murder the innocent. Their eyes secretly track the helpless. They wait in shadow like a lion in its lair; They lurk, ready to seize the poor; They catch the poor, dragging them into their nets. The helpless are crushed, they collapse, Falling victim to superior strength. They tell themselves, "God has forgotten; He has turned away; he will never notice." Rise up, LORD! Lift your hand, O God! Do not forget those who suffer! Why do the wicked dismiss God, Telling themselves, "He won't hold us accountable"? But you do see - you mark every hurt and sorrow, Taking them into your own hands; The helpless entrust themselves to you; You have always defended the fatherless. Shatter the power of the wicked and evil; Call out their wrongs until none remain hidden. The LORD reigns forever and always; The nations vanish from his land. LORD, you hear the longing of the afflicted; You strengthen their hearts; You listen closely To bring justice to the fatherless and oppressed, So earthbound mortals will terrify no more.
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