Study Desk

Why standest thou afar off, O Jehovah? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

In the pride of the wicked ^[a]the poor ^[b]is hotly pursued; ^[c]Let them be taken in the devices that they have conceived.

For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, And ^[d]the covetous renounceth, yea, ^[e]contemneth Jehovah.

The wicked, in the pride of his countenance, saith, He will not require it. All his thoughts are, There is no God.

His ways are ^[f]firm at all times; Thy judgments are far above out of his sight: As for all his adversaries, he puffeth at them.

He saith in his heart, I shall not be moved; To all generations I shall not be in adversity.

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and ^[g]oppression: Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages; In the secret places doth he murder the innocent; His eyes are privily set against the ^[h]helpless.

He lurketh in secret as a lion in his covert; He lieth in wait to catch the poor: He doth catch the poor, when he draweth him in his net.

^[i]He croucheth, he boweth down, And the ^[j]helpless fall by his strong ones.

He saith in his heart: God hath forgotten; He hideth his face, he will never see it.

Arise, O Jehovah; O God, lift up thy hand: Forget not the ^[k]poor.

Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God, And say in his heart, Thou wilt not require it?

Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest ^[l]mischief and spite, ^[m]to requite it with thy hand: The ^[n]helpless committeth himself unto thee; Thou hast been the helper of the fatherless.