O Israel, hope in the Lord, for the Lord exhibits loyal love, ¹  and is more than willing to deliver. ² 

for there our captors ask us to compose songs; ¹  those who mock us demand that we be happy, saying: ²  “Sing for us a song about Zion!” ³ 

Let all the kings of the earth give thanks ¹  to you, O Lord, when they hear the words you speak. ² 

I will give you thanks because your deeds are awesome and amazing. ¹  You knew me thoroughly; ² 

I know ¹  that the Lord defends the cause of the oppressed and vindicates the poor. ² 

Surely I am looking to you, ¹  O sovereign Lord. In you I take shelter. Do not expose me to danger! ² 

Do not sit in judgment on ¹  your servant, for no one alive is innocent before you. ² 

Certainly ¹  my enemies ²  chase me. They smash me into the ground. ³  They force me to live ⁴  in dark regions, ⁵  like those who have been dead for ages.

Teach me to do what pleases you, ¹  for you are my God. May your kind presence ²  lead me ³  into a level land. ⁴ 

As a demonstration of your loyal love, ¹  destroy my enemies! Annihilate ²  all who threaten my life, ³  for I am your servant.

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty extends over the earth and sky.

Give sincere homage! ¹  Otherwise he ²  will be angry, ³  and you will die because of your behavior, ⁴  when his anger quickly ignites. ⁵  How blessed ⁶  are all who take shelter in him! ⁷ 

Rise up, ¹  Lord! Deliver me, my God! Yes, ²  you will strike ³  all my enemies on the jaw; you will break the teeth ⁴  of the wicked. ⁵ 

You have taken notice, ¹  for ²  you always see ³  one who inflicts pain and suffering. ⁴  The unfortunate victim entrusts his cause to you; ⁵  you deliver ⁶  the fatherless. ⁷ 

For look, the wicked ¹  prepare ²  their bows, ³  they put their arrows on the strings, to shoot in the darkness ⁴  at the morally upright. ⁵ 

Now I am sure ¹  that the Lord will deliver ²  his chosen king; ³  he will intervene for him ⁴  from his holy heavenly temple, ⁵  and display his mighty ability to deliver. ⁶ 

For he did not despise or detest the suffering ¹  of the oppressed; ²  he did not ignore him; ³  when he cried out to him, he responded. ⁴ 

A psalm – a song used at the dedication of the temple; ²  by David. I will praise you, O Lord, for you lifted me up, ³  and did not allow my enemies to gloat ⁴  over me.

For I hear what so many are saying, ¹  the terrifying news that comes from every direction. ²  When they plot together against me, they figure out how they can take my life.

For the Lord promotes ¹  justice, and never abandons ²  his faithful followers. They are permanently secure, ³  but the children ⁴  of evil men are wiped out. ⁵