O Lord, the God to whom alone

Verse 1

O Lord, the God to whom alone all vengeance doth belong; thou, who the God of vengeance art, shine forth, avenging wrong.

Verse 2

Lift up thyself, thou of the earth the sovereign judge that art; and unto those that haughty are a recompense impart.

Verse 3

How long, Jehovah, shall the men who evil-doers be, how long shall they who wicked are thus triumph haughtily?

Verse 4

How long shall grievous things be them be uttered and told? And all that work iniquity to boast themselves be bold?

Verse 5

Thy folk they break in pieces, Lord, thine heritage oppress;

Verse 6

the widow and the stranger slay, and kill the fatherless

Verse 7

yet say, The Lord shall not perceive, nor God of Jacob know.

Verse 8

Ye brutish people! understand; fools! when wise will ye grow?

Verse 9

Shall he who plants the ear of man to hear unable be? and he who fashioneth the eye, shall he not clearly see?

Verse 10

He who the nations doth correct, shall he reproof not show? he that doth knowledge teach to man, shall he himself not know?

Verse 11

Man's thoughts to be but vanity the Lord doth well discern.

Verse 12

Blessed is the man thou chastenest, Lord, and mak'st thy law to learn:

Verse 13

that thou mayest give him rest from days of sad adversity, until the pit be digged for those that work iniquity.

Verse 14

Because the Lord will not cast off those that his people be, nor yet his own inheritance forsake at all will he:

Verse 15

but judgment unto righteousness shall yet return again, and all shall follow after it that are right-hearted men.

Verse 16

Who will rise up for me against those that do wickedly? Who will stand up for me 'gainst those that work iniquity?

Verse 17

Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul in death had lain;

Verse 18

but if I say, My foot doth slip, thy love doth me sustain.

Verse 19

Amidst the multitude of cares whereby I am oppressed, thy comforts, Lord, refresh my soul, thy mercies give me rest.

Verse 20

Shall of iniquity the throne have fellowship with thee, which mischief, cunningly contrived, doth by a law decree?

Verse 21

Against the righteous souls they join, they guiltless blood condemn.

Verse 22

But of my refuge God's the rock and my defence from them.

Verse 23

On them their own iniquity the Lord shall cause to fall, and in their sin shall cut them off; our God destroy them shall.