The psalm begins with two questions: Why do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

When one is confronted with troubles, persecutions or even injustice, these are the questions one asks. Where is God? Why does he not act? Why is he turning a blind eye to all the evil things being done? From verses 2-11, the psalmist describes the wicked.

Even if the wicked are arrogant and hunt down the poor, they will be caught in their own trap. The wicked boasts of his desires. He blesses the greedy and he condemns the Lord. This is really arrogance! Imagine, a human being condemning the Lord!

The wicked is proud and therefore will not seek the Lord. God is not in his mind. The wicked is always prosperous - he is arrogant and has nothing to do with God's laws. He does not think about his enemies. He relies on himself. He curses, lies ans threatens as if there is no God. He arrogantly proclaims that God does not see and acts as if God will not punish.

Verse 12 is the turning point in this psalm. It prays, "Arise Lord! Lift up your hand and do not forget the helpless". The psalmist begins to question God. In the midst of injustice, the psalmist seems to agree with the wicked.

The difference between the psalmist and the wicked is that the wicked thinks that God will not intervene, but the psalmist does. He turns to God and asks for help. God sees trouble. God is concerned. God is the helper of the fatherless.

The psalmist then calls on the Lord to act - break the arm of the wicked and evil. God sees what the wicked has done - even the hidden sins. God hears the desires of the afflicted. God encourages them and he listens to their cries.

Even if the wicked seem to prosper - there will be judgment. They will need to stand up and be accountable for their works. God will stand up - justice will be done. God hears and he will act.