The Perils of the Pilgrim

Why, O LORD, do You stand far off?

Why do You hide in times of trouble?

In pride the wicked pursue the needy;

let them be caught in the schemes they devise.

For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart;

he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.

In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him;

in all his schemes there is no God.

He is secure in his ways at all times;

Your lofty judgments are far from him;

he sneers at all his foes.

He says to himself, “I will not be moved;

from age to age I am free of distress.”

His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence;

trouble and malice are under his tongue.

He lies in wait near the villages;

in ambush he slays the innocent;

his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless.

He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket;

he lurks to seize the oppressed;

he catches the lowly in his net.

They are crushed and beaten down;

the hapless fall prey to his strength.

He says to himself, “God has forgotten;

He hides His face and never sees.”

Arise, O LORD! Lift up Your hand, O God!

Do not forget the helpless.

Why has the wicked man renounced God?

He says to himself, “You will never call me to account.”

But 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.

Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;

call him to account for his wickedness

until none is left to be found.

The LORD is King forever and ever;

the nations perish from His land.

You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble;

You will strengthen their hearts.

You will incline Your ear,

to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed,

that the men of the earth

may strike terror no more.