1 O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs— O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth!

2 R ise up, O Judge of the earth; Render punishment to the proud.

3 L ord, how long will the wicked, How long will the wicked triumph?

4 T hey utter speech, and speak insolent things; All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves.

5 T hey break in pieces Your people, O Lord, And afflict Your heritage.

6 T hey slay the widow and the stranger, And murder the fatherless.

7 Y et they say, “The Lord does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob understand.”

8 U nderstand, you senseless among the people; And you fools, when will you be wise?

9 H e who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see?

10 H e who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, He who teaches man knowledge?

11 T he Lord knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile.

12 B lessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, And teach out of Your law,

13 T hat You may give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the wicked.

14 F or the Lord will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance.

15 B ut judgment will return to righteousness, And all the upright in heart will follow it.

16 W ho will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

17 U nless the Lord had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence.

18 I f I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.

19 I n the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.

20 S hall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, Have fellowship with You?

21 T hey gather together against the life of the righteous, And condemn innocent blood.

22 B ut the Lord has been my defense, And my God the rock of my refuge.

23 H e has brought on them their own iniquity, And shall cut them off in their own wickedness; The Lord our God shall cut them off.