1 Why are you so distant, Lord?
2 The wicked person arrogantly pursues oppressed people.
3 The wicked person boasts about his selfish desires.
4 He turns up his nose ⌞and says⌟, “God doesn’t care.”
5 He always seems to succeed.
6 He says to himself, “Nothing can shake me.
7 His mouth is full of cursing, deception, and oppression.
8 He waits in ambush in the villages.
9 He lies in his hiding place like a lion in his den.
10 ⌞His⌟ victims are crushed.
11 He says to himself,
12 Arise, O Lord!
13 Why does the wicked person despise God?
14 You have seen ⌞it⌟; yes, you have taken note of trouble and grief
15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil person.
16 The Lord is king forever and ever.
17 You have heard the desire of oppressed people, O Lord.
18 in order to provide justice for orphans and oppressed people