¹ Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? ² In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. ³ He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord. ⁴ In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. ⁵ His ways are always prosperous; your laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies. ⁶ He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.” He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.” ⁷ His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue. ⁸ He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent. His eyes watch in secret for his victims;