The dangers of the pilgrim
1
Why, YHWH, do You stand at a distance? Do You hide in times of adversity?
2
Through the pride of the wicked, || Is the poor inflamed, || They are caught in schemes that they devised.
3
Because the wicked has boasted || Of the desire of his soul, || And he has blessed a dishonest gainer, || He has despised YHWH.
4
The wicked does not inquire according to the height of his face. “There is no God!” [are] all his schemes.
5
His ways writhe at all times, || Your judgments [are] on high before him, || All his adversaries—he puffs at them.
6
He has said in his heart, “I am not moved, || [And am] not in calamity to generation and generation.”
7
His mouth is full of oaths, || And deceits, and fraud: Under his tongue [is] perverseness and iniquity,
8
He sits in an ambush of the villages, || He slays the innocent in secret places. His eyes secretly watch for the afflicted,
9
He lies in wait in a secret place, as a lion in a covert. He lies in wait to catch the poor, || He catches the poor, drawing him into his net.
10
He is bruised—he bows down, || The afflicted has fallen by his mighty ones.
11
He said in his heart, “God has forgotten, || He has hid His face, || He has never seen.”
12
Arise, O YHWH! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble.
13
Why has the wicked despised God? He has said in his heart, “It is not required.”
14
You have seen, || For You behold perverseness and anger; By giving into Your hand, || The afflicted leave [it] on You, || You have been a helper of the fatherless.
15
Break the arm of the wicked and the evil, || Seek out his wickedness, find none;
16
YHWH [is] King for all time and forever, || The nations have perished out of His land!
17
You have heard the desire of the humble, O YHWH. You prepare their heart; You cause Your ear to attend,
18
To judge the fatherless and bruised: He adds no more to oppress—man of the earth!
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