[1] O LORD, the God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth! [2] Arise, O Judge of the earth. Give the proud what they deserve. [3] How long, O LORD? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat? [4] How long will they speak with arrogance? How long will these evil people boast? [5] They crush your people, LORD, hurting those you claim as your own. [6] They kill widows and foreigners and murder orphans. [7] "The LORD isn't looking," they say, "and besides, the God of Israel doesn't care." [8] Think again, you fools! When will you finally catch on? [9] Is he deaf-the one who made your ears? Is he blind-the one who formed your eyes? [10] He punishes the nations-won't he also punish you? He knows everything-doesn't he also know what you are doing? [11] The LORD knows people's thoughts; he knows they are worthless! [12] Joyful are those you discipline, LORD, those you teach with your instructions. [13] You give them relief from troubled times until a pit is dug to capture the wicked. [14] The LORD will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession. [15] Judgment will again be founded on justice, and those with virtuous hearts will pursue it. [16] Who will protect me from the wicked? Who will stand up for me against evildoers? [17] Unless the LORD had helped me, I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave. [18] I cried out, "I am slipping!" but your unfailing love, O LORD, supported me. [19] When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. [20] Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side- leaders whose decrees permit injustice? [21] They gang up against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. [22] But the LORD is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide. [23] God will turn the sins of evil people back on them. He will destroy them for their sins. The LORD our God will destroy them.
