1The Lord is a God of vengeance! God of vengeance, shine out! ³³⁰

2Stand up, judge of the earth, and pay back those who are proud what they deserve.

3How long, Lord? How long will the wicked celebrate in triumph?

4How long will you let them pour out their arrogant words? How long will these evil people go on boasting?

5Lord, they crush your people; they oppress those you call your own.

6They kill widows and foreigners; they murder orphans.

7They say, “The Lord can't see what we're doing. Israel's God doesn't pay any attention to us.”

8Take another look, you stupid people! Fools—when will you ever get the point?

9Do you think the creator of the ear can't hear? Do you think the maker of the eye can't see?

10Do you think that the one who punishes nations won't punish you too? Do you think that the one who teaches human beings knowledge doesn't know anything? ³³¹

11The Lord knows the thoughts of human beings—he knows they are pointless.

12Those you discipline are happy, Lord; those you teach from your Law.

13You give them peace in days of trouble, until a pit is dug to trap the wicked.

14For the Lord will not give up on his people; he will not abandon his own.

15Justice will once again be based on what is right; those who are sincere will support it.

16Who came to my defense against the wicked; who stood up for me against those who do evil?

17If the Lord hadn't helped me, I would have soon gone down into the silence of the grave.

18I shouted out, “My foot's slipping!” and your trustworthy love, Lord, kept me from falling.

19When my mind was full of worries, you comforted me and encouraged me.

20Can unjust judges really be on your side, Lord, when their corrupt use of the law causes misery?

21They work together to destroy good people; they condemn those who are innocent to death.

22But the Lord protects me like a fortress; my God is the rock that keeps me safe.

23He will turn the wickedness of evil people back upon them; he will destroy them because of their sins; the Lord our God will destroy them.