Psalm 10

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

¹Why, O Lord, do you stand far off?
   Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
²In arrogance the wicked persecute the poor—
   let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.

³For the wicked boast of the desires of their heart,
   those greedy for gain curse and renounce the Lord.
⁴In the pride of their countenance the wicked say, ‘God will not seek it out’;
   all their thoughts are, ‘There is no God.’

⁵Their ways prosper at all times;
   your judgements are on high, out of their sight;
   as for their foes, they scoff at them.
⁶They think in their heart, ‘We shall not be moved;
   throughout all generations we shall not meet adversity.’

⁷Their mouths are filled with cursing and deceit and oppression;
   under their tongues are mischief and iniquity.
⁸They sit in ambush in the villages;
   in hiding-places they murder the innocent.

Their eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;
⁹   they lurk in secret like a lion in its covert;
they lurk that they may seize the poor;
   they seize the poor and drag them off in their net.

¹⁷O Lord, you will hear the desire of the meek;
   you will strengthen their heart, you will incline your ear
¹⁸to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed,
   so that those from earth may strike terror no more.^*