Why Do You Stand So Far Away?

1 Why do you stand so far away, O LORD? Why do you hide yourself in troubled times? 2 In arrogance the wicked trap the poor; they catch the weak in schemes they have devised. 3 The wicked boast about their hearts’ desires; the covetous renounce and spurn the LORD. 4 In pride they see no need to seek for aid; in all their thoughts they say, “There is no God.” 5 They prosper and in pride ignore your law; at all their foes they only puff in scorn. 6 Within their hearts they think, “I am secure; throughout my life my happiness is sure.” 7 Their mouths are filled with oaths and lies and threats; beneath their tongues are evil thoughts and deeds. 8 They lie in ambush near the village street; the innocent they murder and defeat. In stealth they watch for their victims there. 9 They crouch like a lion in its lair. They lie in wait, the helpless one to get; and then drag them off when caught in their net. 10 The helpless one is crushed and trampled down; another victim falls beneath their might. 11 At heart they think, “God has forgotten this; he hides his face, so he will never see.” The psalm continues with Psalm 10B. The Book of Psalms for Singing, alt. as in Psalter Hymnal; vv. 8c-9 The Psalms for Singing, alt. STB