Lord God to whom doth appertain

Verse 1

Lord God to whom alone pertains the recompence of wrongs, O mighty God, shine clearly forth, to whom revenge belongs.

Verse 2

Thou Judge of th' earth wilt rise, the proud their wages pay.

Verse 3

How long, O LORD, shall wicked men, how long triumph shall they?

Verse 4

How long shall they break out and say, things very hard to bear? How long shall all such boast themselves, who wicked workers are?

Verse 5

LORD, they thy people grind to dust, thine heritage oppress;

Verse 6

The widow and the stranger slay, And kill the fatherless.

Verse 7

And yet they insolently say; JAH, this shall never see, Nor by the God of Jacob shall, these things regarded be.

Verse 8

But O ye stupid people, will ye never learn to know? Ye foolish in your hearts and ways, wise will ye never grow?

Verse 9

He planted ev'ry hearing ear; and hear then shall not He? Who formed ev'ry seeing eye, shall He not clearly see?

Verse 10

He who the nations doth chastize, shall he not chasten you? He teaches knowledge to all men: and shall not He them know?

Verse 11

JEHOVAH always clearly sees what thoughts men entertain; He judges and He tries them all, and knows they all are vain.

Verse 12

O JAH, how bless'd is he whom Thou dost fatherly chastise; And out of thy most perfect law, Thou teachest to be wise?

Verse 13

That Thou may'st give him quietness till evil times are past; Until the pit be digg'd wherein, the wicked shall be cast.

Verse 14

For sure the LORD will not cast off His people utterly; Nor his inheritance forsake to perpetuity.

Verse 15

But judgment shall to righteousness, clearly return and reign; And all who are of upright heart, shall follow in her train.

Verse 16

Against the evil doers, who will up for me arise? Who stand up for me against those that work iniquities?

Verse 17

Unless the LORD had been my help, none other could me save; My soul had quickly dwelt within the silence of the grave.

Verse 18

And when I said, my moving foot is ready just to slide; Thy mercies LORD, then held me up, and made me firm abide.

Verse 19

Amidst the multitude of thoughts, tumultuous in my mind; Still from thy consolations sweet my soul delight doth find.

Verse 20

What shall the throne of wickedness Have fellowship with Thee; Which frameth mischief by a law and acts it by decree?

Verse 21

They run in crouds against the souls of men both just and good; And they condemn to punishment, those of most harmless blood.

Verse 22

But yet the LORD has always been a refuge high to me; and of my confidence the rock, my God shall always be.

Verse 23

The LORD our God their mischief will on their own heads repay; In their own malice cut the down, yea will them surely slay.