The Perils of the Pilgrim

1Why, O Lord, hast thou retired afar off? why dost thou slight us in our wants, in the time of trouble?

2Whilst the wicked man is proud, the poor is set on fire: they are caught in the counsels which they devise.

3For the sinner is praised in the desires of his soul: and the unjust man is blessed.

4The sinner hath provoked the Lord according to the multitude of his wrath he will not seek him:

5God is not before his eyes: his ways are filthy at all times. Thy judgments are removed from his sight: he shall rule over all his enemies.

6For he hath said in his heart: I shall not be moved from generation to generation, and shall be without evil.

7His mouth is full of cursing, and of bitterness, and of deceit: under his tongue are labour and sorrow.

8He sitteth in ambush with the rich in private places, that he may kill the innocent.

9His eyes are upon the poor man: He lieth in wait in secret like a lion in his den. He lieth in ambush that he may catch the poor man: to catch the poor, whilst he draweth him to him.

10In his net he will bring him down, he will crouch and fall, when he shall have power over the poor.

11For he hath said in his heart: God hath forgotten, he hath turned away his face not to see to the end.

12Arise, O Lord God, let thy hand be exalted: forget not the poor.

13Wherefore hath the wicked provoked God? for he hath said in his heart: He will not require it.

14Thou seest it, for thou considerest labour and sorrow: that thou mayst deliver them into thy hands. To thee is the poor man left: thou wilt be a helper to the orphan.

15Break thou the arm of the sinner and of the malignant: his sin shall be sought, and shall not be found.

16The Lord shall reign to eternity, yea, for ever and ever: ye Gentiles shall perish from his land.

17The Lord hath heard the desire of the poor: thy ear hath heard the preparation of their heart.

18To judge for the fatherless and for the humble, that man may no more presume to magnify himself upon earth.