Psalm, 10

ל [Lamed]

¹ Why, O Jehovah, do you stand at a distance? Why do you hide yourself in times of distress?

² The wicked one arrogantly pursues the helpless one, But he will be caught in the schemes he devises.

³ For the wicked one boasts about his selfish desires^*1 And blesses the greedy one;^*2

נ [Nun]

He disrespects Jehovah.

⁴ In his haughtiness, the wicked man makes no investigation; All his thoughts are: “There is no God.”

⁵ His ways keep prospering, But your judgments are beyond his understanding; He scoffs^*1 at all his adversaries.

⁶ He says in his heart: “I will never be shaken;^*1 For generation after generation I will never see calamity.”

פ [Pe]

⁷ His mouth is full of curses, lies, and threats; Under his tongue are trouble and injury.

⁸ He waits in ambush near the settlements; From his hiding place he kills an innocent one.

ע [Ayin]

His eyes are watching for an unfortunate victim.

⁹ He waits in his hiding place like a lion in its lair.^*1 He waits to seize the helpless one. He seizes the helpless one when he pulls his net shut.

¹⁰ The victim is crushed and brought down; The unfortunate ones fall into his clutches.^*1

¹¹ He says in his heart: “God has forgotten. He has turned away his face. He never notices.”

ק [Qoph]

¹² Rise up, O Jehovah. O God, lift up your hand. Do not forget the helpless ones.

¹³ Why has the wicked one disrespected God? He says in his heart: “You will not hold me accountable.”

ר [Resh]

¹⁴ But you do see trouble and distress. You look on and take matters in hand. To you the unfortunate victim turns; You are the helper for the fatherless child.^*1

ש [Shin]

¹⁵ Break the arm of the wicked and evil man, So that when you search for his wickedness, You will find it no more.

¹⁶ Jehovah is King forever and ever. The nations have perished from the earth.

ת [Taw]

¹⁷ But you will hear the request of the meek, O Jehovah. You will make their hearts firm and pay close attention to them.

¹⁸ You will render justice to the fatherless and to those who are crushed, So that mortal man of the earth may no longer make them afraid.