Psalm 10/Text/CBC

YHWH, why do you stand at a distance?

(Why) do you hide (your eyes) during troubling times?

The wicked pursue the afflicted (prompted by) pride;

may they be caught in the plans that they have devised!

For, the wicked has boasted about his soul’s cravings;

and whoever has blessed the one who works for unjust gain has treated YHWH with contempt.

In a way that suits his pride, the wicked does not seek.

All his plans are ‘There is no God’.

His ways persist every time;

your rulings are far away from him—on high!

All his foes—he jeers at them.

He has said to himself, ‘throughout all generations

in which there is no trouble, I will not be shaken.’

His mouth is full of curses, deceit and oppression;

hardship and destruction are underneath his tongue.

He sits in villages’ ambush places;

he murders the innocent in the hiding places;

his eyes spy for the wretch.

He lurks in the hiding place like a lion in its den;

he lurks in order to seize the afflicted;

he seizes the afflicted by drawing his net (across).

He stoops, (he) crouches,

and the wretches fall by his powerful (claws).

He has said to himself, ‘God has been ignoring;

he has been hiding his face; he has never noticed.’

Rise up, YHWH! Lift up your hand, O God!

Do not ignore the afflicted!

Why has the wicked treated God with contempt?

He has said to himself, ‘You will not require a reckoning.’

You have noticed! For hardship and grief (that) you see

in order to place (them) into your care.

The wretch leaves (them) with you.

You have been one who helps the fatherless.

Break the arm of the one who is wicked and evil!

May it seek his wickedness, (but) not find (it).

YHWH is king forever.

Nations perished from his land.

You have heard the desires of the afflicted, YHWH;

you make their hearts confident; you make your ear attentive,\

in order to execute justice for the fatherless and the oppressed,

so that an earthly mortal will never

terrify again