The Perils of the Pilgrim
1Why, O LORD, do You stand far off?Why do You hide in times of trouble? 2In pride the wicked pursue the needy;let them be caught in the schemes they devise. 3For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart;he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD. 4In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him;in all his schemes there is no God. 5He is secure in his ways at all times;Your lofty judgments are far from him;he sneers at all his foes. 6He says to himself, “I will not be moved;from age to age I am free of distress.” 7His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence;trouble and malice are under his tongue. 8He lies in wait near the villages;in ambush he slays the innocent;his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless. 9He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket;he lurks to seize the oppressed;he catches the lowly in his net. 10They are crushed and beaten down;the helpless fall prey to his strength. 11He says to himself, “God has forgotten;He hides His face and never sees.” 12Arise, O LORD! Lift up Your hand, O God!Do not forget the helpless. 13Why has the wicked man renounced God?He says to himself, “You will never call me to account.” 14But 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. 15Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;call him to account for his wickednessuntil none is left to be found. 16The LORD is King forever and ever;the nations perish from His land. 17You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble;You will strengthen their hearts.You will incline Your ear, 18to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed,that the men of the earthmay strike terror no more. Berean Standard Bible · A modern, readable English translation. Public domain (CC0).
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