A cry that comes from the depth of the soul, demanding justice.
1* 2O Lord, my God, in you I take shelter; deliver me and save me from all my pursuers, 3lest lions tear me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
4O Lord, my God, if my hands are stained with guilt – 5if with evil I have repaid good, if I have plundered unjustly my opponent, 6let the enemy hound me, let him crush me to the ground and lay down my liver in the dust.
7Arise, O Lord, in your wrath; rise up against the fury of my foes. Awake, O my God and judge the nations, for the time of judgment has come.
8Let the nations gather around you; and you take your seat high above them.
9Proclaim, O Lord, my righteousness; you see that I am blameless.
10Bring to an end the power of the wicked, but affirm the just, O righteous God, searcher of mind and heart.
11You cover me as a shield, Oh God, for you protect the upright.
12A righteous judge is God, his anger ever awaiting those who refuse to repent.
13God has his sword ready and sharpened, his bow bent and arrows aimed.
14He has in hand, always ready, his deadly weapons and fiery darts.
15Look at the one who conceived iniquity and is pregnant with mischief: miscarriage will result.
16He digs a pit and makes it deep, he will fall into the trap he made.
17His evil intent recoils upon his head; his wicked design comes back in his face.
18I will rejoice in the Lord for his justice, and sing to the Most High in gratitude and praise.
