17 O Lord, I have called on you, so do not let me be put to shame.Let wicked people be put to shame.Let them be silent in the grave.
18 Let ⌊their⌋ lying lips be speechless,since they speak against righteous people with arrogance and contempt.
19 Your kindness is so great!You reserve it for those who fear you.Adam’s descendants watchas you show it to those who take refuge in you.
20 You hide them in the secret place of your presencefrom those who scheme against them.You keep them in a shelter,safe from quarrelsome tongues.
21 Thank the Lord!He has shown me the miracle of his mercyin a city under attack.
22 When I was panic-stricken, I said,“I have been cut off from your sight.”But you heard my pleas for mercy when I cried out to you for help.
23 Love the Lord, all you godly ones!The Lord protects faithful people,but he pays back in full those who act arrogantly.