Read the Bible

¹ Lord, why are you so far away?
    Why do you hide when there is trouble?
² Proudly the wicked chase down those who suffer.
    Let them be caught in their own traps.
³ They brag about the things they want.
    They bless the greedy but hate the Lord.
⁴ The wicked people are too proud.
    They do not look for God;
    there is no room for God in their thoughts.
⁵ They always succeed.
    They are far from keeping your laws;
    they make fun of their enemies.
⁶ They say to themselves, "Nothing bad will ever happen to me;
    I will never be ruined."
⁷ Their mouths are full of curses, lies, and threats;
    they use their tongues for sin and evil.
⁸ They hide near the villages.
    They look for innocent people to kill;
    they watch in secret for the helpless.
⁹ They wait in hiding like a lion.
    They wait to catch poor people;
    they catch the poor in nets.
¹⁰ The poor are thrown down and crushed;
    they are defeated because the others are stronger.
¹¹ The wicked think, "God has forgotten us.
    He doesn't see what is happening."

¹² Lord, rise up and punish the wicked.
    Don't forget those who need help.
¹³ Why do wicked people hate God?
    They say to themselves, "God won't punish us."
¹⁴ Lord, surely you see these cruel and evil things;
    look at them and do something.
People in trouble look to you for help.
    You are the one who helps the orphans.
¹⁵ Break the power of wicked people.
    Punish them for the evil they have done.

¹⁶ The Lord is King forever and ever.
    Destroy from your land those nations that do not worship you.
¹⁷ Lord, you have heard what the poor people want.
    Do what they ask, and listen to them.
¹⁸ Protect the orphans and put an end to suffering
    so they will no longer be afraid of evil people.