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¹ Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why dost thou overlook us in times of need, in affliction? ² While the ungodly one acts proudly, the poor is hotly pursued: the wicked are taken in the crafty counsels which they imagine. ³ Because the sinner praises himself for the desires of his heart; and the unjust one blesses himself. ⁴ The sinner has provoked the Lord: according to the abundance of his pride he will not seek after him: God is not before him. ⁵ His ways are profane at all times; thy judgments are removed from before him: he will gain the mastery over all his enemies. ⁶ For he has said in his heart, I shall not be moved, continuing without evil from generation to generation. ⁷ Whose mouth is full of cursing, and bitterness, and fraud: under his tongue are trouble and pain. ⁸ He lies in wait with rich men in secret places, in order to slay the innocent: his eyes are set against the poor. ⁹ He lies in wait in secret as a lion in his den: he lies in wait to ravish the poor, to ravish the poor when he draws him after him: he will bring him down in his snare. ¹⁰ He will bow down and fall when he has mastered the poor. ¹¹ For he has said in his heart, God has forgotten: he has turned away his face so as never to look.

¹² Arise, O Lord God; let thy hand be lifted up: forget not the poor. ¹³ Wherefore, has the wicked provoked God? for he has said in his heart, He will not require it. ¹⁴ Thou seest it; for thou dost observe trouble and wrath, to deliver them into thy hands: the poor has been left to thee; thou wast a helper to the orphan. ¹⁵ Break thou the arm of the sinner and wicked man: his sin shall be sought for, and shall not be found. ¹⁶ The Lord shall reign for ever, even for ever and ever: ye Gentiles shall perish out his land. ¹⁷ The Lord has heard the desire of the poor: thine ear has inclined to the preparation of their heart; ¹⁸ to plead for the orphan and afflicted, that man may no more boast upon the earth.