10:1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off?
Why do you pay no attention during times of trouble?
10:2 The wicked arrogantly chase the oppressed;
the oppressed are trapped by the schemes the wicked have dreamed up.
10:3 Yes, the wicked man boasts because he gets what he wants;
the one who robs others curses and rejects the Lord.
10:4 The wicked man is so arrogant he always thinks,
“God won’t hold me accountable; he doesn’t care.”
10:5 He is secure at all times.
He has no regard for your commands;
he disdains all his enemies.
10:6 He says to himself,
“I will never be upended,
because I experience no calamity.”
10:7 His mouth is full of curses and deceptive, harmful words;
his tongue injures and destroys.
10:8 He waits in ambush near the villages;
in hidden places he kills the innocent.
His eyes look for some unfortunate victim.
10:9 He lies in ambush in a hidden place, like a lion in a thicket;
he lies in ambush, waiting to catch the oppressed;
he catches the oppressed by pulling in his net.
10:10 His victims are crushed and beaten down;
they are trapped in his sturdy nets.
10:11 He says to himself,
“God overlooks it;
he does not pay attention;
he never notices.”
10:12 Rise up, Lord!
O God, strike him down!
Do not forget the oppressed!
10:13 Why does the wicked man reject God?
He says to himself, “You will not hold me accountable.”
10:14 You have taken notice,
for you always see one who inflicts pain and suffering.
The unfortunate victim entrusts his cause to you;
you deliver the fatherless.
10:15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man!
Hold him accountable for his wicked deeds,
which he thought you would not discover.
10:16 The Lord rules forever!
The nations are driven out of his land.
10:17 Lord, you have heard the request of the oppressed;
you make them feel secure because you listen to their prayer.
10:18 You defend the fatherless and oppressed,
so that mere mortals may no longer terrorize them.