Psalm 94
^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.