¹ O Lord, God of vengeance,
God of vengeance, shine forth.
² Rise up, O Judge of the earth.
Repay the proud with what they deserve.
³ How long will the wicked, O Lord,
how long will the wicked celebrate?

⁴ They gush. They speak arrogantly.
All the evildoers brag about themselves.
⁵ They crush your people, O Lord.
They oppress the people that belong to you.
⁶ They kill the widow and the alien.
They murder the fatherless.
⁷ Then they say, “The Lord ^[1] does not see.
The God of Jacob does not understand.”
⁸ Understand, you brutes among the people.
You fools, when will you become wise?

⁹ The one who planted the ear—will he not hear?
The one who formed the eye—will he not observe?
¹⁰ The one who disciplines nations—will he not rebuke them?
He is the one who teaches mankind knowledge.
¹¹ The Lord knows the thoughts of mankind.
He knows that they are just vapor.
¹² How blessed is the person whom you discipline, O Lord,
whom you teach from your law.
¹³ You grant him rest in days of trouble,
until a pit is dug for the wicked.
¹⁴ For the Lord will not desert his people,
and he will never forsake those who are his own.
¹⁵ Then judgment will again be based on righteousness,
and all the upright in heart will pursue it.
¹⁶ Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
¹⁷ Unless the Lord had been my helper,
my soul would soon have dwelt in silence.
¹⁸ When I said, “My foot has slipped,”
your mercy, Lord, upheld me.
¹⁹ When my worries within me were many,
your comfort brought joy to my soul.