O LORD, the God of vengeance,

O LORD, the God of vengeance, O righteous God, shine forth! Arise, condemn the haughty, O Judge of all the earth.

How long will evildoers, O LORD, be jubilant? They pour out wicked boasting; their words are arrogant.

O LORD, they crush your people, oppress your heritage; The widow, stranger, orphan they murder in their rage.

They say, “God does not notice; the LORD has closed his eyes.” Take heed, you senseless people; fools, when will you be wise?

Do you think the Creator, who gave mankind the ear And made the eye for seeing, can neither see nor hear?

Does he who guides the nations not punish them for wrong? To him who gives instruction does knowledge not belong?

All human thoughts are futile; to you, LORD, they are known. You bless those with correction to whom your law is shown.

In troubled times you grant them relief from their distress, Until a pit is opened to punish wickedness.

The LORD will not abandon the folk who are his own; His heritage, his chosen, he never will disown.

For justice will be founded once more on righteousness, And all right-hearted people approval will express.

Who will arise to help me against the wicked one? Who will stand up to aid me when other help has gone?

Unless the LORD had helped me, I’d soon have passed away To dwell in death’s dark silence far from the light of day.

When I said, “LORD, I’m slipping,” your love came to my aid; Your help gave joy and comfort when I was so afraid.

Can God accept a tyrant who issues harsh decrees, And brings upon his subjects oppressive miseries?

Against the righteous people the evildoers plot; To execute the guiltless, such is their wicked thought.

But as for me, my refuge is in the LORD Most High; God has become my fortress and on him I rely.

God will repay the wicked the evil they have done; The LORD our God will surely destroy them every one.