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1O Lord God, unto whom alone
all vengeance doth belong;
O
mighty God, who vengeance own'st,
shine forth, avenging wrong.
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2Lift up thyself, thou of the earth
the sov'reign Judge that art;
And
unto those that are so proud
a due reward impart.
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3How long, O mighty God, shall they
who lewd and wicked be,
How
long shall they who wicked are
thus triumph haughtily?
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4How long shall things most hard by them
be uttered and told?
And
all that work iniquity
to boast themselves be bold?
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5Thy folk they break in pieces, Lord,
thine heritage oppress:
6The widow they and stranger slay,
and kill the fatherless.
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7Yet say they, God it shall not see,
nor God of Jacob know.
8Ye brutish people! understand;
fools! when wise will ye grow?
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9The Lord did plant the ear of man,
and hear then shall not he?
He
only form'd the eye, and then
shall he not clearly see?
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10He that the nations doth correct,
shall he not chastise you?
He
knowledge unto man doth teach,
and shall himself not know?
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11Man's thoughts to be but vanity
the Lord doth well discern.
12Bless'd is the man thou chast'nest, Lord,
and mak'st thy law to learn:
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13That thou may'st give him rest from days
of sad adversity,
Until
the pit be digg'd for those
that work iniquity.
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14For sure the Lord will not cast off
those that his people be,
Neither
his own inheritance
quit and forsake will he:
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15But judgment unto righteousness
shall yet return again;
And
all shall follow after it
that are right-hearted men.
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16Who will rise up for me against
those that do wickedly?
Who
will stand up for me 'gainst those
that work iniquity?
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17Unless the Lord had been my help
when I was sore opprest,
Almost
my soul had in the house
of silence been at rest.
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18When I had uttered this word,
(my foot doth slip away,)
Thy
mercy held me up, O Lord,
thy goodness did me stay.
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19Amidst the multitude of thoughts
which in my heart do fight,
My
soul, lest it be overcharg'd,
thy comforts do delight.
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20Shall of iniquity the throne
have fellowship with thee,
Which
mischief, cunningly contriv'd,
doth by a law decree?
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21Against the righteous souls they join,
they guiltless blood condemn.
22But of my refuge God's the rock,
and my defence from them.
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23On them their own iniquity
the Lord shall bring and lay,
And
cut them off in their own sin;
our Lord God shall them slay.
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