God Is the Strength of His People

1O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs; O God, to whom vengeance belongs, show yourself.

2Lift up yourself, you judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.

3LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?

4How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?

5They break in pieces your people, O LORD, and afflict your heritage.

6They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.

7Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.

8Understand, you senseless among the people: and you fools, when will you be wise?

9He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?

10He that chastises the nations, shall he not correct? he that teaches man knowledge, shall he not know?

11The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

12Blessed is the man whom you chasten, O LORD, and teach him out of your law;

13That you may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked.

14For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.

15But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.

16Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

17Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.

18When I said, My foot slips; your mercy, O LORD, held me up.

19In the multitude of my thoughts within me your comforts delight my soul.

20Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with you, which frames mischief by a law?

21They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.

22But the LORD is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge.

23And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.