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1.
Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
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2.
In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.
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3.
He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
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4.
In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
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5.
His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies.
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6.
He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me; I'll always be happy and never have trouble."
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7.
His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.
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8.
He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims.
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9.
He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.
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10.
His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.
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11.
He says to himself, "God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees."
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12.
Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.
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13.
Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"?
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14.
But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.
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15.
Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.
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16.
The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.
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17.
You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
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18.
defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.
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