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Psalm 10

Ut quid, Domine?

The Book of Common Prayer (1979) · 19 verses

  1. 1

    Why do you stand so far off, O LORD, *
    and hide yourself in time of trouble?

  2. 2

    The wicked arrogantly persecute the poor, *
    but they are trapped in the schemes they have devised.

  3. 3

    The wicked boast of their heart's desire; *
    the covetous curse and revile the LORD.

  4. 4

    The wicked are so proud that they care not for God; *
    their only thought is, "God does not matter."

  5. 5

    Their ways are devious at all times; your judgments are far above out of their sight; *
    they defy all their enemies.

  6. 6

    They say in their heart, "I shall not be shaken; *
    no harm shall happen to me ever."

  7. 7

    Their mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression; *
    under their tongue are mischief and wrong.

  8. 8

    They lurk in ambush in public squares and in secret places they murder the innocent; *
    they spy out the helpless.

  9. 9

    They lie in wait, like a lion in a covert; they lie in wait to seize upon the lowly; *
    they seize the lowly and drag them away in their net.

  10. 10

    The innocent are broken and humbled before them; *
    the helpless fall before their power.

  11. 11

    They say in their heart, "God has forgotten; *
    he hides his face; he will never notice."

  12. 12

    Rise up, O LORD; lift up your hand, O God; *
    do not forget the afflicted.

  13. 13

    Why should the wicked revile God? *
    why should they say in their heart, "You do not care"?

  14. 14

    Surely, you behold trouble and misery; *
    you see it and take it into your own hand.

  15. 15

    The helpless commit themselves to you, *
    for you are the helper of orphans.

  16. 16

    Break the power of the wicked and evil; *
    search out their wickedness until you find none.

  17. 17

    The LORD is King for ever and ever; *
    the ungodly shall perish from his land.

  18. 18

    The LORD will hear the desire of the humble; *
    you will strengthen their heart and your ears shall hear;

  19. 19

    To give justice to the orphan and oppressed, *
    so that mere mortals may strike terror no more.

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The text of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer is in the public domain in the United States.

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