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O LORD God, a to whom vengeance belongs -
O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth!
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Rise up, O b Judge of the earth;
1 Render punishment to the proud.
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LORD, c how long will the wicked,
How long will the wicked triumph?
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They d utter speech, and speak insolent things;
All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves.
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They break in pieces Your people, O LORD,
And afflict Your heritage.
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They slay the widow and the stranger,
And murder the fatherless.
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e Yet they say, "The LORD does not see,
Nor does the God of Jacob 2 understand."
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Understand, you senseless among the people;
And you fools, when will you be wise?
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f He who planted the ear, shall He not hear?
He who formed the eye, shall He not see?
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He who 3 instructs the 4 nations, shall He not correct,
He who teaches man knowledge?
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The LORD g knows the thoughts of man,
That they are futile.
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Blessed is the man whom You h instruct, O LORD,
And teach out of Your law,
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That You may give him 5 rest from the days of adversity,
Until the pit is dug for the wicked.
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For the LORD will not 6 cast off His people,
Nor will He forsake His inheritance.
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But judgment will return to righteousness,
And all the upright in heart will follow it.
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Who will rise up for me against the evildoers?
Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
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Unless the LORD had been my help,
My soul would soon have settled in silence.
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If I say, "My foot slips,"
Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up.
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In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul.
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Shall i the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law,
Have fellowship with You?
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They gather together against the life of the righteous,
And condemn j innocent blood.
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But the LORD has been my defense,
And my God the rock of my refuge.
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He has brought on them their own iniquity,
And shall 7 cut them off in their own wickedness;
The LORD our God shall cut them off.