God the Refuge of the Righteous
1 OLordGod,to whom vengeance belongs—
O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth!
2 Rise up, OJudge of the earth;
Render punishment to the proud.
3 Lord,how long will the wicked,
How long will the wicked triumph?
4 Theyutter speech,andspeak insolent things;
All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves.
5 They break in pieces Your people, OLord,
And afflict Your heritage.
6 They slay the widow and the stranger,
And murder the fatherless.
7 Yet they say, “TheLorddoes not see,
Nor does the God of Jacob understand.”
8 Understand, you senseless among the people;
Andyoufools, when will you be wise?
9 He who planted the ear, shall He not hear?
He who formed the eye, shall He not see?
10 He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct,
He who teaches man knowledge?
11 TheLordknows the thoughts of man,
That theyarefutile.
12 Blessedisthe man whom Youinstruct, OLord,
And teach out of Your law,
13 That You may give him rest from the days of adversity,
Until the pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For theLordwill not cast off His people,
Nor will He forsake His inheritance.
15 But judgment will return to righteousness,
And all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers?
Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
17 Unless theLordhadbeenmy help,
My soul would soon have settled in silence.
18 If I say, “My foot slips,”
Your mercy, OLord, will hold me up.
19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul.
20 Shallthe throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law,
Have fellowship with You?
21 They gather together against the life of the righteous,
# And condemninnocent blood.
22 But theLordhas been my defense,
And my God the rock of my refuge.
23 He has brought on them their own iniquity,
And shall cut them off in their own wickedness;
TheLordour God shall cut them off.