Psalm 94

1O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.footnote afootnote b

2Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.

3LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?

4How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?

5They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.

6They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.

7Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.

8Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?

9He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?

10He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?

11The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

12Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

13That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.

14For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.

15But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.footnote c

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

17Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.footnote d

18When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.

19In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

20Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?

21They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.

22But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.

23And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.

The LORD Will Not Forget His People

1O LORD, God of vengeance,O God of vengeance, shine forth. 2Rise up, O Judge of the earth;render a reward to the proud. 3How long will the wicked, O LORD,how long will the wicked exult?

4They pour out arrogant words;all workers of iniquity boast. 5They crush Your people, O LORD;they oppress Your heritage. 6They kill the widow and the foreigner;they murder the fatherless. 7They say, “The LORD does not see;the God of Jacob pays no heed.”

8Take notice, O senseless among the people!O fools, when will you be wise? 9He who affixed the ear, can He not hear?He who formed the eye, can He not see? 10He who admonishes the nations, does He not discipline?He who teaches man, does He lack knowledge? 11The LORD knows the thoughts of man,that they are futile.footnote a

12Blessed is the man You discipline, O LORD,and teach from Your law, 13to grant him relief from days of trouble,until a pit is dug for the wicked. 14For the LORD will not forsake His people;He will never abandon His heritage. 15Surely judgment will again be righteous,and all the upright in heart will follow it.

16Who will rise up for me against the wicked?Who will stand for me against the workers of iniquity? 17Unless the LORD had been my helper,I would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence. 18If I say, “My foot is slipping,”Your loving devotion, O LORD, supports me. 19When anxiety overwhelms me,Your consolation delights my soul.

20Can a corrupt throne be Your ally—one devising mischief by decree? 21They band together against the righteousand condemn the innocent to death.footnote b 22But the LORD has been my stronghold,and my God is my rock of refuge. 23He will bring upon them their own iniquityand destroy them for their wickedness.The LORD our God will destroy them.