4The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him.
         All his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

5His ways prosper at all times;
         Your judgments are on high, out of his sight;
         As for all his adversaries, he snorts at them.

6He says to himself, “I will not be moved;
         Throughout all generations I will not be in adversity.”

7His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression;
         Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness.

8He sits in the lurking places of the villages;
         In the hiding places he kills the innocent;
         His eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate.

9He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair;
         He lurks to catch the afflicted;
         He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net.

10He crouches, he bows down,
         And the unfortunate fall by his mighty ones.

11He says to himself, “God has forgotten;
         He has hidden His face; He will never see it.”

12Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up Your hand.
         Do not forget the afflicted.

13Why has the wicked spurned God?
         He has said to himself, “You will not require it.”

14You have seen it, for You have beheld mischief and vexation to take it into Your hand.
         The unfortunate commits himself to You;
         You have been the helper of the orphan.

15Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer,
         Seek out his wickedness until You find none.

16The LORD is King forever and ever;
         Nations have perished from His land.

17O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble;
         You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear

18To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed,
         So that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.

NASB ©1995