Psalm 94

1 O Lord, the God who avenges,
O God who avenges, shine forth.

2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth;
pay back to the proud what they deserve.

3 How long will the wicked, O Lord,
how long will the wicked be jubilant?

4 They pour out arrogant words;
all the evildoers are full of boasting.

5 They crush your people, O Lord;
they oppress your inheritance.

6 They slay the widow and the alien;
they murder the fatherless.

7 They say, “The Lord does not see;
the God of Jacob pays no heed.”

8 Take heed, you senseless ones among the people;
you fools, when will you become wise?

9 Does he who implanted the ear not hear?
Does he who formed the eye not see?

10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches man lack knowledge?

11 The Lord knows the thoughts of man;
he knows that they are futile.

12 Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord,
the man you teach from your law;

13 you grant him relief from days of trouble,
till a pit is dug for the wicked.

14 For the Lord will not reject his people;
he will never forsake his inheritance.

15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,
and all the upright in heart will follow it.

16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?

17 Unless the Lord had given me help,
I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.

18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your love, O Lord, supported me.

19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul.

20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—
one that brings on misery by its decrees?

21 They band together against the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.

22 But the Lord has become my fortress,
and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

23 He will repay them for their sins
and destroy them for their wickedness;
the Lord our God will destroy them.

PSALMS 94

The [Lord] Punishes //the Guilty

1 [Lord] God, you punish
the guilty.
Show what you are like
and punish them now.

2 You judge the earth.
Come and help us!
Pay back those proud people
for what they have done.

3 How long will the wicked
celebrate and be glad?

4 All of those cruel people
strut and boast,

5 and they crush and wound
your chosen nation, [Lord].

6 They murder widows,
foreigners, and orphans.

7 Then they say,
“The [Lord] God of Jacob
doesn't see or know.”

8 Can't you fools see?
Won't you ever learn?

9 God gave us ears and eyes!
Can't he hear and see?

10 God instructs the nations
and gives knowledge to us all.
Won't he also correct us?

11  t The [Lord] knows how useless
our plans really are.

12 Our [Lord], you bless everyone
that you instruct and teach
by using your Law.

13 You give them rest
from their troubles,
until a pit can be dug
for the wicked.

14 You won't turn your back
on your chosen nation.

15 Justice and fairness
will go hand in hand,
and all who do right
will follow along.

16 Who will stand up for me
against those cruel people?

17 If you had not helped me, [Lord],
I would soon have gone
to the land of silence.t

18 When I felt my feet slipping,
you came with your love
and kept me steady.

19 And when I was burdened
with worries,
you comforted me
and made me feel secure.

20 But you are opposed
to dishonest lawmakers

21 who gang up to murder
innocent victims.

22 You, [Lord] God, are my fortress,
that mighty rockt
where I am safe.

23 You will pay back my enemies,
and you will wipe them out
for the evil they did.