1 O Lord, my God, I come to you for protection;rescue me and save me from all who pursue me,
2 or else like a lion they will carry me offwhere no one can save me,and there they will tear me to pieces.
3-4 O Lord, my God, if I have wronged anyone,if I have betrayed a friendor without cause done violence to my enemy —if I have done any of these things —
5 then let my enemies pursue me and catch me,let them cut me down and kill meand leave me lifeless on the ground!
6 Rise in your anger, O Lord!Stand up against the fury of my enemies;rouse yourself and help me!Justice is what you demand,
7 so bring together all the peoples round you,and rule over them from above.
8 You are the judge of the whole human race.Judge in my favour, O Lord;you know that I am innocent.
9 You are a righteous Godand judge our thoughts and desires.Stop the wickedness of evildoersand reward those who are good.
10 God is my protector;he saves those who obey him.
11 God is a righteous judgeand always condemns the wicked.
12 If they do not change their ways,God will sharpen his sword.He bends his bow and makes it ready;
13 he takes up his deadly weaponsand aims his burning arrows.
14 See how wicked people think up evil;they plan trouble and practise deception.
15 But in the traps they set for others,they themselves get caught.
16 So they are punished by their own eviland are hurt by their own violence.
17 I thank the Lord for his justice,I sing praises to the Lord, the Most High.