Add parallel Print Page Options

God Judges

94 O Lord, the God Who punishes, God Who punishes, let Your light shine! Rise up, You Judge of the earth. Pay what is owed to the proud. How long will the sinful, O Lord, how long will the sinful be full of joy? They pour out proud words. All those who do wrong, talk about themselves as if they are great people. They crush Your people, O Lord. They bring trouble upon Your chosen nation. They kill the woman whose husband has died and the stranger. They kill the children who have no parents. And they say, “The Lord does not see. The God of Jacob does not care.”

Listen, you foolish ones among the people. You fools, when will you understand? He Who made the ear, does He not hear? He Who made the eye, does He not see? 10 He Who punishes nations so they might give up sin, will He not speak strong words to them? Is He not the One Who teaches man all he knows? 11 The Lord knows the thoughts of man. He knows that they are empty.

12 Happy is the man who is punished until he gives up sin, O Lord, and whom You teach from Your Law. 13 You give him rest from days of trouble, until a hole is dug for the sinful. 14 For the Lord will not turn away from His people. He will not leave His chosen nation. 15 For what is decided will be right and good. And all those whose hearts are right will follow it. 16 Who will rise up for me against the sinful? Who will take a stand for me against those who do wrong?

17 If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have been among the dead. 18 When I said, “My foot is going out from under me,” Your loving-kindness held me up, O Lord. 19 When my worry is great within me, Your comfort brings joy to my soul. 20 Can a sinful throne that brings trouble by its laws be a friend to You? 21 They join together against the life of those who are right and good. They send those who are not guilty to their death. 22 But the Lord has been my strong place, my God, and the rock where I am safe. 23 He has brought back their own sin upon them and will destroy them for their wrong-doing. The Lord our God will destroy them.

Psalm 94

The Lord is a God who avenges.(A)
    O God who avenges, shine forth.(B)
Rise up,(C) Judge(D) of the earth;
    pay back(E) to the proud what they deserve.
How long, Lord, will the wicked,
    how long will the wicked be jubilant?(F)

They pour out arrogant(G) words;
    all the evildoers are full of boasting.(H)
They crush your people,(I) Lord;
    they oppress your inheritance.(J)
They slay the widow(K) and the foreigner;
    they murder the fatherless.(L)
They say, “The Lord does not see;(M)
    the God of Jacob(N) takes no notice.”

Take notice, you senseless ones(O) among the people;
    you fools, when will you become wise?
Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?
    Does he who formed the eye not see?(P)
10 Does he who disciplines(Q) nations not punish?
    Does he who teaches(R) mankind lack knowledge?
11 The Lord knows all human plans;(S)
    he knows that they are futile.(T)

12 Blessed is the one you discipline,(U) Lord,
    the one you teach(V) from your law;
13 you grant them relief from days of trouble,(W)
    till a pit(X) is dug for the wicked.
14 For the Lord will not reject his people;(Y)
    he will never forsake his inheritance.
15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,(Z)
    and all the upright in heart(AA) will follow it.

16 Who will rise up(AB) for me against the wicked?
    Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?(AC)
17 Unless the Lord had given me help,(AD)
    I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.(AE)
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,(AF)
    your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
19 When anxiety(AG) was great within me,
    your consolation(AH) brought me joy.

20 Can a corrupt throne(AI) be allied with you—
    a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?(AJ)
21 The wicked band together(AK) against the righteous
    and condemn the innocent(AL) to death.(AM)
22 But the Lord has become my fortress,
    and my God the rock(AN) in whom I take refuge.(AO)
23 He will repay(AP) them for their sins
    and destroy(AQ) them for their wickedness;
    the Lord our God will destroy them.