Psalms 94

1 The Lord is the God to whom revenge belongeth: the God of revenge hath acted freely.

A Psalm of David for the fourth [day] of the week. The Lord is a God of vengeance; the God of vengeance has declared himself.

2 Lift up thyself, thou that judgest the earth: render a reward to the proud.

Be thou exalted, thou that judgest the earth: render a reward to the proud.

3 How long shall sinners, O Lord: how long shall sinners glory?

How long shall sinners, O Lord, how long shall sinners boast?

4 Shall they utter, and speak iniquity: shall all speak who work injustice?

They will utter and speak unrighteousness; all the workers of iniquity will speak [so].

5 Thy people, O Lord, they have brought low: and they have afflicted thy inheritance.

They have afflicted thy people, O Lord, and hurt thine heritage.

6 They have slain the widow and the stranger: and they have murdered the fatherless.

They have slain the widow and fatherless, and murdered the stranger.

7 And they have said: The Lord shall not see: neither shall the God of Jacob understand.

And they said, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob understand.

8 Understand, ye senseless among the people: and, you fools, be wise at last.

Understand now, ye simple among the people; and ye fools, at length be wise.

9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? or he that formed the eye, doth he not consider?

He that planted the ear, does he not hear? or he that formed the eye, does not he perceive?

10 He that chastiseth nations, shall he not rebuke: he that teacheth man knowledge?

He that chastises the heathen, shall not he punish, [even] he that teaches man knowledge?

11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of men, that they are vain.

The Lord knows the thoughts of men, that they are vain.

12 Blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct, O Lord: and shalt teach him out of thy law.

Blessed is the man whomsoever thou shalt chasten, O Lord, and shalt teach him out of thy law;

13 That thou mayst give him rest from the evil days: till a pit be dug for the wicked.

to give him rest from evil days, until a pit be digged for the sinful one.

14 For the Lord will not cast off his people: neither will he forsake his own inheritance.

For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance;

15 Until justice be turned into judgment: and they that are near it are all the upright in heart.

until righteousness return to judgment, and all the upright in heart shall follow it. (Pause)

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

Who will rise up for me against the transgressors? or who will stand up with me against the workers of iniquity?

17 Unless the Lord had been my helper, my soul had almost dwelt in hell. (questioned)

If the Lord had not helped me, my soul had almost sojourned in Hades.

18 If I said: My foot is moved: thy mercy, O Lord, assisted me.

If I said, My foot has been moved;

19 According to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart, thy comforts have given joy to my soul.

thy mercy, O Lord, helped me. O Lord, according to the multitude of my griefs within my heart, thy consolation have soothed my soul.

20 Doth the seat of iniquity stick to thee, who framest labour in commandment?

Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frames mischief by an ordinance?

21 They will hunt after the soul of the just, and will condemn innocent blood.

They will hunt for the soul of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood.

22 But the Lord is my refuge: and my God the help of my hope.

But the Lord was my refuge; and my God the helper of my hope.

23 And he will render them their iniquity: and in their malice he will destroy them: the Lord our God will destroy them.

And he will recompense to them their iniquity and their wickedness: the Lord our God shall utterly destroy them.