Helper of the Helpless (Psalm 10:1-18)

Why, O Lord, do You stand far away? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? ² In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. ³ For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. ⁴ In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek Him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” ⁵ His ways prosper at all times; Your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them. ⁶ He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.” ⁷ His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. ⁸ He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; ⁹he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. ¹⁰ The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might. ¹¹ He says in his heart, “God has forgotten He has hidden His face, He will never see it.”

¹² Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up Your hand; forget not the afflicted. ¹³ Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”? ¹⁴ But You do see, for You note mischief and vexation, that You may take it into Your hands; to You the helpless commits himself; You have been the helper of the fatherless. ¹⁵ Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till You find none. ¹⁶ The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. ¹⁷ O Lord, You hear the desire of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart; You will incline Your ear ¹⁸ to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.