1[A [shiggaion] by David; he sang it to the LORD about the [slanderous] words of Cush, a descendant of Benjamin.] O LORD my God, I have taken refuge in you. Save me, and rescue me from all who are pursuing me.

2Like a lion they will tear me to pieces and drag me off with no one to rescue me.

3O LORD my God, if I have done this- if my hands are stained with injustice,

4if I have paid back my friend with evil or rescued someone who has no reason to attack me-

5then let the enemy chase me and catch me. Let him trample my life into the ground. Let him lay my honor in the dust. [Selah]

6Arise in anger, O LORD. Stand up against the fury of my attackers. Wake up, my God. You have already pronounced judgment.

7Let an assembly of people gather around you. Take your seat high above them.

8The LORD judges the people of the world. Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity.

9Let the evil within wicked people come to an end, but make the righteous person secure, O righteous God who examines thoughts and emotions.

10My shield is God above, who saves those whose motives are decent.

11God is a fair judge, a God who is angered by injustice every day.

12If a person does not change, God sharpens his sword. By bending his bow, he makes it ready [to shoot].

13He prepares his deadly weapons and turns them into flaming arrows.

14See how that person conceives evil, is pregnant with harm, and gives birth to lies.

15He digs a pit and shovels it out. Then he falls into the hole that he made [for others].

16His mischief lands back on his own head. His violence comes down on top of him.

17I will give thanks to the LORD for his righteousness. I will make music to praise the name of the LORD Most High.