^1O Lord God, unto whom alone

all vengeance doth belong;

O mighty God, who vengeance own'st,

shine forth, avenging wrong.

^2Lift up thyself, thou of the earth

the sov'reign Judge that art;

And unto those that are so proud

a due reward impart.

^3How long, O mighty God, shall they

who lewd and wicked be,

How long shall they who wicked are

thus triumph haughtily?

^4How long shall things most hard by them

be uttered and told?

And all that work iniquity

to boast themselves be bold?

^5Thy folk they break in pieces, Lord,

thine heritage oppress:

^6The widow they and stranger slay,

and kill the fatherless.

^7Yet say they, God it shall not see,

nor God of Jacob know.

^8Ye brutish people! understand;

fools! when wise will ye grow?

^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?

^10He that the nations doth correct,

shall he not chastise you?

He knowledge unto man doth teach,

and shall himself not know?

^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:

^13That thou may'st give him rest from days

of sad adversity,

Until the pit be digg'd for those

that work iniquity.

^14For sure the Lord will not cast off

those that his people be,

Neither his own inheritance

quit and forsake will he:

^15But judgment unto righteousness

shall yet return again;

And all shall follow after it

that are right-hearted men.

^16Who will rise up for me against

those that do wickedly?

Who will stand up for me gainst those

that work iniquity?

^17Unless the Lord had been my help

when I was sore opprest,

Almost my soul had in the house

of silence been at rest.

^18When I had uttered this word,

(my foot doth slip away,)

Thy mercy held me up, O Lord,

thy goodness did me stay.

^19Amidst the multitude of thoughts

which in my heart do fight,

My soul, lest it be overcharg'd,

thy comforts do delight.

^20Shall of iniquity the throne

have fellowship with thee,

Which mischief, cunningly contriv'd,

doth by a law decree?

^21Against the righteous souls they join,

they guiltless blood condemn.

^22But of my refuge God's the rock,

and my defence from them.

^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.