1 Why, LORD {YHWH, Seemingly Distant King}, do You remain at a distance {berahoq: perceived separation}? Why do You keep Yourself hidden when distress comes?
2 In his pride the wicked {rasha: morally corrupt} hounds the poor; let them be trapped in the schemes {mezimot: cunning plots} they have devised.
3 For the wicked {rasha: morally corrupt} boasts of the desire of his soul, and the greedy one blesses himself, yet he curses and rejects the LORD {YHWH, Righteous Judge}.
4 The wicked, in the height of his face {appo: prideful display}, does not seek; all his thoughts are, “There is no God {Elohim, Rejected Ruler}.”
5 His ways prosper at all times; Your {YHWH, Divine Judge} judgments {mishpatekha: authoritative decisions} are set high, out of his sight; as for all his adversaries, he puffs at them.
6 He has said in his heart {lev: inner life}, “I will not be shaken; through all generations I will never be in adversity {bera: misfortune}.”
7 His mouth is full of cursing {alah: invoking harm} and deceits {mirmot: hidden trickery} and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.
8 He sits in ambush {ma'arav: hidden attack} in the villages; in secret places he murders the innocent. His eyes lie in wait for the helpless {chelkhah: one in need}.
9 He waits in hiding like a lion in its thicket; he waits to seize the poor {ani: afflicted one}; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net {rishto: concealed snare}.
10 He crouches, crushes, and stoops; the afflicted {khalkaim: those brought low} fall under his strong ones {baatsumav: concentrated power}.
11 He declared within his heart {be-libbo: inner conviction}, “God {El, Supreme Judge} has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see.”
12 Rise up, O LORD {YHWH, Righteous Avenger}; O God, lift up Your hand {yadekha: direct appeal}; do not forget the afflicted and the humble.
13 Why does the wicked despise God {Elohim, Righteous Judge}? He says in his heart, “You {You: God addressed} will not require.”
14 You {YHWH, Compassionate Witness} have seen, for You observe trouble and vexation in order to take it into Your hand; upon You the helpless one leaves his cause; You have been the helper of the orphan {yatom: socially unprotected}.
15 Crush the arm of the wicked {rasha: one opposing justice} and the evil one; search out his wickedness {risho: deep moral corruption} until none remains.
16 The LORD {YHWH, Eternal King} reigns unceasingly; the nations have perished from His land {meartso: covenant territory}.
17 LORD {YHWH, Attentive Hearer}, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will establish their heart {libbam: inner being} and incline Your ear.
18 To judge the orphan {yatom: fatherless child} and the oppressed, that the mortal man {enosh: mortal human} from the earth may never again terrify.