The character O, the wicked one :-Haughty contempt of Jehovah, and oppression of the poor, His people.

LAMED.

Why standest Thou afar off, Jehovah? concealest Thyself in seasons of distress?

2. In the haughtiness of the wicked doth he hotly pursue the humble:they are being taken in the plots that they have devised.

3. For the wicked one boasteth of his soul's desire; and he blesseth the covetous, he scorneth Jehovah.

4. The wicked, in his disdain, [saith,] " He will not seek it out:" in all his plots there is no God.

5. His ways are at all times secure; Thy judgments are a height out of his sight:all his adversaries, he puffeth at them.

6. He hath said in his heart, " I shall not be moved; from generation to generation one who shall not be in any evil."

7. His mouth is full of oaths, and deceit and cruelty; under his tongue are trouble and vanity.

8. He sitteth in ambush by the villages; in secret places doth he slay the innocent:his eyes lurk after the wretched.

9. He lieth in wait in the secret places like a lion in his covert; he lieth in wait to seize the humble:he doth seize the humble when he draweth him into his net.

10. He croucheth ; he boweth down ; and the wretched are fallen by his strong ones.
11. He hath said in his heart, "God hath forgotten:He hath hidden His face ; He will not see it for evermore."

KOPH.

12. Arise, Jehovah! lift up Thy hand, O God! forget not the humble.

13. Wherefore hath the wicked one scorned God? He hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not seek it out.

14. Thou hast seen it ;for Thou lookest upon trouble and provocation to requite it with Thy hand ; the wretched one committeth himself to Thee ; Thou hast been the helper of the orphan.

SCHIN.

15. Break Thou the arm of the wicked and evil one ; seek out his wickedness till Thou find none.

1 6. Jehovah is King forever and aye; the Gentiles are perished out of His land.

TAU.

17. Thou hast heard the desire of the humble:Thou wilt confirm their heart; Thou wilt cause Thine ear to hearken, –

18. To judge the orphan and the afflicted, that frail man from the earth may no more alarm.

Text.-(2) Or, "doth the humble burn."

(3) "Boasteth of;" literally, "praiseth."

(4) "Disdain;" literally, "lifting of his nose." (12) "God:" El,-Mighty One.