1O Jehovah my God , in thee do I take refuge: Save me from all them that pursue me , and deliver me , 2Lest they tear my soul like a lion, Rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver .
The Accusation and the Response
3O Jehovah my God, if I have done this; If there be iniquity in my hands; 4If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me (Yea, I have delivered him that without cause was mine adversary); 5Let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it ; Yea, let him tread my life down to the earth, And lay my glory in the dust. [Selah
God's Righteous Judgment
6Arise, O Jehovah , in thine anger; Lift up thyself against the rage of mine adversaries, And awake for me ; thou hast commanded judgment. 7And let the congregation of the peoples compass thee about ; And over them return thou on high . 8Jehovah ministereth judgment to the peoples : Judge me , O Jehovah , according to my righteousness, and to mine integrity that is in me . 9Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish thou the righteous : For the righteous God trieth the minds and hearts.
The Fate of the Wicked
10My shield is with God, Who saveth the upright in heart . 11God is a righteous judge, Yea, a God that hath indignation every day. 12If a man turn not, he will whet his sword; He hath bent his bow, and made it ready; 13He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; He maketh his arrows fiery shafts . 14Behold, he travaileth with iniquity; Yea, he hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. 15He hath made a pit, and digged it , And is fallen into the ditch which he made. 16His mischief shall return upon his own head , And his violence shall come down upon his own pate.
A Song of Praise
17I will give thanks unto Jehovah according to his righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of Jehovah Most High .