[1] O Eternal God of vengeance, O God who sets things right, shine upon us. [2] Rise, O Judge who presides over the earth, and pronounce Your sentence upon the proud. Give them what they deserve! [3] How long, O Eternal One, how long will the guilty revel in their prosperity? [4] Arrogance pours from their mouths; all these troublemakers brag of their exploits. [5] They have broken Your people to pieces, O Eternal One, and brought ruin to Your future generations. [6] They slay a widow, kill a newcomer, and murder an orphan. [7] Then they say, "The Eternal can't see what we're up to; the God of Jacob's people pays no attention to us." [8] Think, brainless people; stupid people, when will you get it? [9] Does the God who set the ear in its place not hear? Does the God who made the eye not see? [10] Does the God who teaches the nations and guides humanity to knowledge, not exercise just correction? [11] The Eternal knows the highest thoughts of the wise, and they are worthless. [12] How fortunate are those You discipline, O Eternal One, those You train by Your divine law; [13] You relieve them in times of distress, until a grave is dug for evildoers. [14] The Eternal will not abandon His people; He will not turn away from those He redeemed [15] Because justice is coming for those who do what is right and all the good-hearted will pursue it. [16] Who will back me up when evildoers come against me? Who is willing to take my side against the wicked? [17] If the Eternal had not come to my rescue, my soul would have descended to the land where death silences every voice. [18] When I said, "My foot is slipping!" Your unfailing love, O Eternal One, held me up. [19] When anxiety overtakes me and worries are many, Your comfort lightens my soul. [20] Can wicked tyrants be Your allies? Will You align with rulers who create havoc with unjust decrees? [21] They have joined forces against the life of the just-living, the right-seeking, and have sentenced the innocent to death. [22] But the Eternal has been my citadel; my God, a sure safe haven. [23] He will fold their wickedness back upon them, and because they are malicious, He will silence them. The Eternal, our True God, will scatter them.
