Psalm X.
1
Why standest thou so far, O Lord,
When trouble is so nigh?
Why hidest thou thy face from me
In mine adversity?
2
For in his pride the wicked Man
Doth persecute the poor:
Let him be taken in the snare,
That he contriv'd before.
3
He boasteth of himself, and saith
He hath his hearts desire:
The covetous, whom God abhors,
He chiefly doth admire.
4
So proud he is, that he disdains
To seek to God by prayer:
What ever else is in his thoughts,
The Lord is never there.
5
His ways are grievous, for he puts
God's Judgments from his Eyes:
And proudly puffs, and makes a scorn
Of all his Enemies.
6
He says he never shall be mov'd,
But prosperous ever be:
And vainly hopes he never shall
An alteration see.
7
His language is to curse and swear,
To flatter, feign, and lye:
His tongue is full of nothing else
But spite, and vanity.
8
In secret holes he hides himself,
To slay the innocent:
And privily against the poor
His eyes are ever bent.
9
To catch the poor he coucheth down,
Like Lion in his Den:
And when they come within his net,
Devours the harmless Men.
10
He says the Lord has quite forgot,
And will regard no more:
Rise then, O Lord; lift up thy hand,
And think upon the poor.
11
Why should the wicked scorning say
The Lord will not requite?
Convince them, that thou wilt repay
Their mischief and their spite.
12
The poor commits himself to thee,
Thou sav'st the fatherless:
Break thou the arm of evil Men,
And search their wickedness.
13
Then shall we say the Lord is King,
And shall for ever stand:
When all these Heathens are destroy'd,
And driven from his Land.
14
Unto the humble Man's request,
Lord, thou hast lent an ear:
Thou wilt prepare their heart to ask,
And cause thine ear to hear.
15
To vindicate the righteous cause
Of poor and fatherless:
And that these vile and earthly Men
No longer may oppress.
