[1] O LORD, my God, I come to you for protection; rescue me and save me from all who pursue me, [2] or else like a lion they will carry me off where no one can save me, and there they will tear me to pieces. [3] O LORD, my God, if I have wronged anyone, if I have betrayed a friend or without cause done violence to my enemy - if I have done any of these things- [5] then let my enemies pursue me and catch me, let them cut me down and kill me and leave me lifeless on the ground! [6] Rise in your anger, O LORD! Stand up against the fury of my enemies; rouse yourself and help me! Justice is what you demand, [7] so bring together all the peoples around you, and rule over them from above. [8] You are the judge of all people. Judge in my favor, O LORD; you know that I am innocent. [9] You are a righteous God and judge our thoughts and desires. Stop the wickedness of evildoers and reward those who are good. [10] God is my protector; he saves those who obey him. [11] God is a righteous judge and always condemns the wicked. [12] If they do not change their ways, God will sharpen his sword. He bends his bow and makes it ready; [13] he takes up his deadly weapons and aims his burning arrows. [14] See how wicked people think up evil; they plan trouble and practice deception. [15] But in the traps they set for others, they themselves get caught. [16] So they are punished by their own evil and are hurt by their own violence. [17] I thank the LORD for his justice; I sing praises to the LORD, the Most High.
