A meditation by David, which he sang to Yahweh, concerning the words of Cush, the Benjamite.
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1Yahweh, my God, I take refuge in you.
- Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me,
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2lest they tear apart my soul like a lion,
- ripping it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
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3Yahweh, my God, if I have done this,
- if there is iniquity in my hands,
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4if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me
- (yes, if I have delivered him who without cause was my adversary),
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5let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it;
- yes, let him tread my life down to the earth,
- and lay my glory in the dust.
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6Arise, Yahweh, in your anger.
- Lift up yourself against the rage of my adversaries.
- Awake for me. You have commanded judgment.
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7Let the congregation of the peoples surround you.
- Rule over them on high.
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8Yahweh administers judgment to the peoples.
- Judge me, Yahweh, according to my righteousness,
- and to my integrity that is in me.
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9Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end,
- but establish the righteous;
- their minds and hearts are searched by the righteous God.
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10My shield is with God,
- who saves the upright in heart.
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11God is a righteous judge,
- yes, a God who has indignation every day.
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12If a man doesn’t relent, he will sharpen his sword;
- he has bent and strung his bow.
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13He has also prepared for himself the instruments of death.
- He makes ready his flaming arrows.
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14Behold, he travails with iniquity.
- Yes, he has conceived mischief,
- and brought forth falsehood.
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15He has dug a hole,
- and has fallen into the pit which he made.
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16The trouble he causes shall return to his own head.
- His violence shall come down on the crown of his own head.
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17I will give thanks to Yahweh according to his righteousness,
- and will sing praise to the name of Yahweh Most High.