Deus ultionum

Verse 1

O Lord, thou dost revenge all wrong, vengeance belongs to thee: Since then it doth to thee belong, declare that all may see.

Verse 2

Set forth thyself, for thou of right the earth doth judge and guide; Reward the proud and men of might, according to their pride.

Verse 3

How long shall wicked men bear sway with lifting up their voice? Shall proud and wicked men alway thus triumph and rejoice?

Verse 4

How long shall they with brags burst out, and proudly talk their fill? Shall they rejoice that be so stout, whose works are ever ill?

Verse 5

Thy flock, O Lord, thine heritage they spoil and vex full sore, Against thy people they do rage still daily more and more.

Verse 6

The widows which are comfortless, and strangers they destroy, They slay the children fatherless, and none doth put them by.

Verse 7

And when they take these things in hand, this talk they have of thee, Can Jacob's God this understand? tush, no, he cannot see.

Verse 8

O folk unwise, and people rude, some knowledge now discern, Ye fools among the multitude at length begin to learn.

Verse 9

The Lord who made the ear of man, he needs of right must hear; He made the eye, all things must then before his sight appear;

Verse 10

The Lord doth all the world correct, and make them understand: Shall he not then your deeds detect? how can ye 'scape his hand?

Verse 11

The Lord doth know the heart of man, and sees the same full plain, And he his very thoughts doth scan, and findeth them but vain.

Verse 12

But, Lord, that man is happy sure, whom thou dost keep in awe, And through correction dost procure to teach him in thy law;

Verse 13

Whereby he shall in quiet rest, in time of trouble sit, When wicked men shall be supprest, and fall into the pit.

Verse 14

For sure the Lord will not refuse his people for to take, His heritage whom he did chuse he will no time forsake;

Verse 15

Until that judgement be decreed to justice to convert, That all may follow her with speed, that are of upright heart.

Verse 16

But who upon my part will stand against the cursed train? Or who shall rid me from their hand, that wicked works maintain?

Verse 17

Except the Lord had been my aid my enemies to quell, My soul and life had now been laid almost as low as hell.

Verse 18

When I did say, My foot doth slide; before that I could call, Thy mercy, Lord, most ready was to save me from the fall:

Verse 19

When with myself I mused much, and could no comfort find, Then, Lord, thy goodness did me touch, and that did ease my mind.

Verse 20

Wilt thou accustom, Lord, thyself with wicked men to sit, Who with pretence, instead of law, much mischief do commit?

Verse 21

For they consult against the life of righteous men and good, And in their counsels they are rife to shed the guiltless blood.

Verse 22

But yet the Lord is unto me a sure and strong defence; To him I flee, because he is my strength and confidence:

Verse 23

And he shall cause their mischiefs all themselves for to annoy; And in their malice they shall fall, our God shall them destroy.