Psalm 94
1 Gott der Rache, Jahwe, Gott der Rache, strahle auf!
Yahweh, you are able to get revenge [on your enemies]. [So] show them that you are going to punish them!
2 Erhebe dich, Richter der Erde, vergilt den Übermütigen, was sie andern angethan.
You are the one who judges all [people on] the earth; [so] arise, and give/punish the proud [leaders of our] people like they deserve.
3 Wie lange sollen die Gottlosen, Jahwe, wie lange sollen die Gottlosen frohlocken?
Yahweh, how long will those wicked [people] be glad/happy? It is not right that [RHQ] they continue being glad!
4 Sie geifern, führen vermessene Reden; es überheben sich alle Übelthäter.
They do evil things, and they boast about doing them; how long will they [be allowed to] continue doing that?
5 Dein Volk, Jahwe, zermalmen sie und dein Besitztum bedrücken sie.
Yahweh, [it is as though] those wicked people crush [us], your people; they (oppress/treat cruelly) those who belong to you [DOU].
6 Witwen und Fremdlinge würgen sie und die Waisen morden sie
They murder widows and orphans and people from other countries who [think it is safe to] live in our land.
7 und wähnen: “Jah sieht es nicht und der Gott Jakobs merkt es nicht.”
Those wicked people say, “Yahweh does not see anything; [so] the God whom those Israelis [worship] does not see [the evil things that we do].”
8 Merkt doch auf, ihr Unvernünftigen im Volke! und ihr Thoren - wann wollt ihr klug werden?
You evil people [who rule Israel], you are foolish and stupid; when will you become wise [RHQ]?
9 Der das Ohr gepflanzt hat, sollte der nicht hören? der das Auge gebildet, sollte der nicht sehen?
God made our ears; so [do you think that] he cannot hear [what you say] [RHQ]? He created our eyes; so do you think that he cannot see [the evil things that you do] [RHQ]?
10 Der Völker in Zucht hält, sollte der nicht strafen - er, der die Menschen Erkenntnis lehrt?
He also scolds [the leaders of other] nations; so do you think that he will not punish [you] [RHQ]? He is the one who knows everything; [so why do you think that he does not know what you do] [RHQ]?
11 Jahwe kennt die Gedanken der Menschen, denn sie sind ein bloßer Hauch.
Yahweh knows [everything] that people are thinking; he knows that what they think ([is useless/vanishes as quickly as]) smoke [MET].
12 Wohl dem Manne, den du zurechtweisest, Jah, und aus deinem Gesetze belehrst,
Yahweh, you are pleased with people who [want you to] discipline/correct them, those who [want you to] teach them your laws.
13 ihm Ruhe zu schaffen vor Unglückstagen, bis dem Gottlosen die Grube gegraben wird.
When those people have had troubles, you cause those troubles to cease, and some day [it will be as though] you will dig pits for wicked people, and they will fall into those pits [and die].
14 Denn Jahwe wird sein Volk nicht verstoßen, noch sein Besitztum preisgeben.
Yahweh will not abandon his people; he will not desert like that those who belong to him [DOU].
15 Denn auf Gerechtigkeit wird der Rechtsspruch hinauskommen, und dem werden sich anschließen alle, die redliches Sinnes sind.
[Some day] judges will decide matters fairly for people, and all honest/righteous people will be pleased about that.
16 Wer wird sich für mich gegen die Bösewichter erheben, wer für mich auftreten gegen die Übelthäter?
But when wicked [people] ([oppressed me/treated me cruelly]), (who defended me?/no one defended me.) [RHQ] No one stood up to testify for me against those evil people [RHQ].
17 Wäre Jahwe nicht meine Hilfe, so läge meine Seele wohl schon in der Todesstille.
If Yahweh had not helped me [at that time], [I would have been executed], [and] my soul/spirit would have gone to the place where [dead people] say nothing.
18 Wenn ich dachte: es wankt mein Fuß! so stützte mich deine Gnade, Jahwe.
I said/thought [to myself], “I am about to die,” but Yahweh, you held me up by faithfully loving me.
19 Wenn der schweren Gedanken in meinem Innern viele waren, erquickten deine Tröstungen meine Seele.
Whenever I am very worried, you comfort/encourage me and cause me to be happy.
20 Hat der verderbliche Stuhl mit dir Gemeinschaft, der wider Recht und Gesetz Unheil schafft?
You have nothing to do with wicked judges, who establish laws that allow people to do what is not legal.
21 Sie scharen sich zusammen wider das Leben der Frommen und verurteilen unschuldiges Blut.
They plan to get rid of righteous [people], and they declare that (innocent people/people who have not done what is wrong) must be executed.
22 Aber Jahwe ward mir zur Burg, und mein Gott zu einem Felsen, der mir Zuflucht bot.
But Yahweh (has become [like] my fortress/protects me) [MET]; my God is [like a huge] rock under which I am protected/safe [MET].
23 Und er vergalt ihnen ihren Frevel und vertilgt sie in ihrer Bosheit; es vertilgt sie Jahwe, unser Gott.
He will punish those wicked leaders in return for the wicked things that they have done, and will get rid of them for the sins that they have committed; [yes], Yahweh our God will (wipe them out/destroy them completely).
