1 Lord God, you punish

the guilty.

Show what you are like

and punish them now.

2 You judge the earth.

Come and help us!

Pay back those proud people

for what they have done.

3 How long will the wicked

celebrate and be glad?

4 All of those cruel people

strut and boast,

5 and they crush and wound

your chosen nation, Lord.

6 They murder widows,

foreigners, and orphans.

7 Then they say,

"The Lord God of Jacob

doesn't see or know."

8 Can't you fools see?

Won't you ever learn?

9 God gave us ears and eyes!

Can't he hear and see?

10 God instructs the nations

and gives knowledge to us all.

Won't he also correct us?

11 * The Lord knows how useless

our plans really are.

12 Our Lord, you bless everyone

that you instruct and teach

by using your Law.

13 You give them rest

from their troubles,

until a pit can be dug

for the wicked.

14 You won't turn your back

on your chosen nation.

15 Justice and fairness

will go hand in hand,

and all who do right

will follow along.

16 Who will stand up for me

against those cruel people?

17 If you had not helped me, Lord,

I would soon have gone

to the land of silence.*

18 When I felt my feet slipping,

you came with your love

and kept me steady.

19 And when I was burdened

with worries,

you comforted me

and made me feel secure.

20 But you are opposed

to dishonest lawmakers

21 who gang up to murder

innocent victims.

22 You, Lord God, are my fortress,

that mighty rock*

where I am safe.

23 You will pay back my enemies,

and you will wipe them out

for the evil they did.