New International Version NIV
New Century Version NCV
1 The LORD is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth.
1
The Lord is a God who punishes. God, show your greatness and punish!
2 Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.
2
Rise up, Judge of the earth, and give the proud what they deserve.
3 How long, LORD, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant?
3
How long will the wicked be happy? How long, Lord?
4 They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting.
4
They are full of proud words; those who do evil brag about what they have done.
5 They crush your people, LORD; they oppress your inheritance.
5
Lord, they crush your people and make your children suffer.
6 They slay the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless.
6
They kill widows and foreigners and murder orphans.
7 They say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob takes no notice.”
7
They say, "The Lord doesn't see; the God of Jacob doesn't notice."
8 Take notice, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?
8
You stupid ones among the people, pay attention. You fools, when will you understand?
9 Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?
9
Can't the creator of ears hear? Can't the maker of eyes see?
10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
10
Won't the one who corrects nations punish you? Doesn't the teacher of people know everything?
11 The LORD knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.
11
The Lord knows what people think. He knows their thoughts are just a puff of wind.
12 Blessed is the one you discipline, LORD, the one you teach from your law;
12
Lord, those you correct are happy; you teach them from your law.
13 you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.
13
You give them rest from times of trouble until a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.
14
The Lord won't leave his people nor give up his children.
15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
15
Judgment will again be fair, and all who are honest will follow it.
16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
16
Who will help me fight against the wicked? Who will stand with me against those who do evil?
17 Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
17
If the Lord had not helped me, I would have died in a minute.
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
18
I said, "I am about to fall," but, Lord, your love kept me safe.
19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
19
I was very worried, but you comforted me and made me happy.
20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you— a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?
20
Crooked leaders cannot be your friends. They use the law to cause suffering.
21 The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
21
They join forces against people who do right and sentence to death the innocent.
22 But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
22
But the Lord is my defender; my God is the rock of my protection.
23 He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the LORD our God will destroy them.
23
God will pay them back for their sins and will destroy them for their evil. The Lord our God will destroy them.