רָאִתָה כִּי אַתָּה עָמָל וָכַעַס תַּבִּיט לָתֵת בְּיָדֶךָ עָלֶיךָ יַעֲזֹב חֵלֶכָה יָתוֹם אַתָּה הָיִיתָ עוֹזֵר: שְׁבֹר זְרוֹעַ רָשָׁע וָרָע תִּדְרוֹשׁ רִשְׁעוֹ בַל תִּמְצָא:
You do look! You take note of mischief and vexation! To requite is in Your power. To You the hapless can entrust themselves; You have ever been the orphan's help. O break the power of the wicked and evil person, so that when You look for wickedness You will find it no more.
[JPS translation. Edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. According to this text, who is the ultimate protector of the needy?
2. How does our social justice work fit into this model?
3. Who protects the needy in today's society?
Time Period: Biblical (early ancestors to 165 BCE)