Psalm Ten

Lord, why do you seem so far away? Why do you seem removed from my presence, so distant from me? Why do You hide Yourself, closing Your eyes when I am in dire straights ... in desperate trouble?

The wicked in their arrogant pride savagely chase after the poor to persecute them; may they be caught in the evil they have designed to the hurt of others. For they boast and brag of their wicked ways; they sing praises of the evil exploits they desire to do. Yes, the greedy in nature and desire despise You, Lord; they renounce all Your ways.

In their prideful conceit they will not seek after God, nor will they inquire after Him at all: for their minds have already concluded that God doesn't exist, so how can He punish their wrong doings? In all of this they are persistent and seem prosperous. Though Your commandments and accompanying judgments are beyond their comprehension, they have rejected them all. They taunt their enemies, all the while thinking to themselves, "Nothing and No One can harm me ... Nothing can shake my resolve!

Their mouths spews forth lies and curses, oppression and destruction, yet still they are filled with sinfulness and persecution.

They wait in dark alleys to strike at unsuspecting passersby. They hide in doorways to kill the innocent, watching sneakily for the helpless and less fortunate ... dragging them into their traps, crushing them as sink into its destruction; and all they while they think deep in their heart, "God has totally forgotten all about me! His eyes are closed tight, He can't see what I'm up too!"

 "Oh Lord, Open Your eyes, lift up your hands to protect the humble and do not forget them."

Why do the wicked try to deny Your existence? Why do they believe they will not be held accountable for what they have done? I know that you have seen it! Yes, You jot down notes of Your grief and hints of Your coming wrath.

Yet they that have been maligned and persecuted commit their ways to You. For You are the One who helps the fatherless, widows and orphans. You will always defend their cause.

So break the arms of the evil and depraved, make him pay for all the wrongs they have done! Expose them and their activities for all to see. Then will the innocent masses disappear from their sights, they will be unreachable to them forevermore. And all will know that You, Oh Lord, are King of Kings and Lord of Lords, forevermore.

For You, oh Lord, hear the cries of the oppressed, seeking righteousness for their cause. You feel their longings, their very hearts' desires, listening intently to their every word ...

So avenge them, my Lord; seek justice and righteous judgment for them, my God. Then will all men know that You are in charge and will not cause terror unjustly or without cause.

Amen!