Read the Bible

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 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.^[a]
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 rock^[b]
    where I am safe.
²³ You will pay back my enemies,
    and you will wipe them out
    for the evil they did.