A Prayer for the Overthrow of the Wicked

101 Why do You stand afar off, O Lord ? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble ? 2 In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted ; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised . 3 For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire , And the greedy man curses and spurns the Lord . 4 The wicked , in the haughtiness of his countenance , does not seek Him. All his thoughts are, " There is no God ." 5 His ways prosper at all times ; Your judgments are on high , out of his sight ; As for all his adversaries , he snorts at them. 6 He says to himself , " I will not be moved ; Throughout all generations I will not be in adversity ." 7 His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression ; Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness . 8 He sits in the lurking places of the villages ; In the hiding places he kills the innocent ; His eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate . 9 He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair ; He lurks to catch the afflicted ; He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net . 10 He crouches , he bows down , And the unfortunate fall by his mighty ones . 11 He says to himself , "God has forgotten ; He has hidden His face ; He will never e see it."

12 Arise , O Lord ; O God , lift up Your hand . Do not forget the afflicted . 13 Why e has the wicked spurned God ? He has said to himself , "You will not require it." 14 You have seen it, for You have beheld mischief and vexation to take it into Your hand . The unfortunate commits himself to You; You have been the helper of the orphan . 15 Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer , Seek out his wickedness until You find none . 16 The Lord is King forever and ever ; Nations have perished from His land . 17 O Lord , You have heard the desire of the humble ; You will strengthen their heart , You will incline Your ear 18 To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed , So that man who is of the earth will no longer e cause terror .