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The Perils of the Pilgrim

¹ Why, O LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide in times of trouble?² In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise.³ For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.⁴ In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God.⁵ He is secure in his ways at all times; Your lofty judgments are far from him; he sneers at all his foes.⁶ He says to himself, “I shall not be moved; from age to age I am free of distress.”⁷ His mouth is full of cursing, deceit^(a), and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.⁸ He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless.⁹ He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net.¹⁰ They are crushed and beaten down; the hapless fall prey to his strength.¹¹ He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He hides His face and never sees.”

¹² Arise, O LORD! Lift up Your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.¹³ Why has the wicked man renounced God? He says to himself, “You will never call me to account.”¹⁴ 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.¹⁵ Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call him to account for his wickedness until none is left to be found.¹⁶ The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations will vanish from His land.¹⁷ You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline Your ear,¹⁸ to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed, that the men of the earth may strike terror no more.