The LORD Will Not Forget His People

1O LORD, God of vengeance,

O God of vengeance, shine forth.

2Rise up, O Judge of the earth;

render a reward to the proud.

3How long will the wicked, O LORD,

how long will the wicked exult?

4They pour out arrogant words;

all workers of iniquity boast.

5They crush Your people, O LORD;

they oppress Your heritage.

6They kill the widow and the foreigner;

they murder the fatherless.

7They say, “The LORD does not see;

the God of Jacob pays no heed.”

8Take notice, O senseless among the people!

O fools, when will you be wise?

9He who affixed the ear, can He not hear?

He who formed the eye, can He not see?

10He who admonishes the nations, does He not discipline?

He who teaches man, does He lack knowledge?

11The LORD knows the thoughts of man,

that they are futile.a

12Blessed is the man You discipline, O LORD,

and teach from Your law,

13to grant him relief from days of trouble,

until a pit is dug for the wicked.

14For the LORD will not forsake His people;

He will never abandon His heritage.

15Surely judgment will again be righteous,

and all the upright in heart will follow it.

16Who will rise up for me against the wicked?

Who will stand for me against the workers of iniquity?

17Unless the LORD had been my helper,

I would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.

18If I say, “My foot is slipping,”

Your loving devotion, O LORD, supports me.

19When anxiety overwhelms me,

Your consolation delights my soul.

20Can a corrupt throne be Your ally—

one devising mischief by decree?

21They band together against the righteous

and condemn the innocent to death.b

22But the LORD has been my stronghold,

and my God is my rock of refuge.

23He will bring upon them their own iniquity

and destroy them for their wickedness.

The LORD our God will destroy them.