Psalms 94
1 Yahweh, you are able to get revenge [on your enemies]. [So] show them that you are going to punish them!
Lord, God of vengeance, God of vengeance, shine forth.
2 You are the one who judges all [people on] the earth; [so] arise, and give/punish the proud [leaders of our] people like they deserve.
Rise up, judge of the earth, pay back the proud what they deserve.
3 Yahweh, how long will those wicked [people] be glad/happy? It is not right that [RHQ] they continue being glad!
Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult,
4 They do evil things, and they boast about doing them; how long will they [be allowed to] continue doing that?
with their blustering arrogant words, their braggart and wicked speech,
5 Yahweh, [it is as though] those wicked people crush [us], your people; they (oppress/treat cruelly) those who belong to you [DOU].
crushing your people, Lord, and afflicting your heritage,
6 They murder widows and orphans and people from other countries who [think it is safe to] live in our land.
murdering widows and strangers, slaying the fatherless?
7 Those wicked people say, “Yahweh does not see anything; [so] the God whom those Israelis [worship] does not see [the evil things that we do].”
They think that the Lord does not see, nor the God of Jacob regard it.
8 You evil people [who rule Israel], you are foolish and stupid; when will you become wise [RHQ]?
Take heed, you dullest of people; when will you be wise, you fools?
9 God made our ears; so [do you think that] he cannot hear [what you say] [RHQ]? He created our eyes; so do you think that he cannot see [the evil things that you do] [RHQ]?
Is he deaf, who shaped the ear? Is he blind, who fashioned the eye?
10 He also scolds [the leaders of other] nations; so do you think that he will not punish [you] [RHQ]? He is the one who knows everything; [so why do you think that he does not know what you do] [RHQ]?
Can he who trains nations not punish them he who teaches knowledge to people?
11 Yahweh knows [everything] that people are thinking; he knows that what they think ([is useless/vanishes as quickly as]) smoke [MET].
The Lord knows the thoughts of people, that only a breath are they.
12 Yahweh, you are pleased with people who [want you to] discipline/correct them, those who [want you to] teach them your laws.
Happy are those whom you chasten, and teach out of your law,
13 When those people have had troubles, you cause those troubles to cease, and some day [it will be as though] you will dig pits for wicked people, and they will fall into those pits [and die].
keeping them calm in the day of misfortune, till a pit be dug for the wicked.
14 Yahweh will not abandon his people; he will not desert like that those who belong to him [DOU].
For the Lord will not leave his people, he will not forsake his inheritance.
15 [Some day] judges will decide matters fairly for people, and all honest/righteous people will be pleased about that.
For the righteous shall come to their rights, and all true-hearted people shall follow them.
16 But when wicked [people] ([oppressed me/treated me cruelly]), (who defended me?/no one defended me.) [RHQ] No one stood up to testify for me against those evil people [RHQ].
Who will rise up for me against those who do evil? Who will stand up for me against workers of wrong?
17 If Yahweh had not helped me [at that time], [I would have been executed], [and] my soul/spirit would have gone to the place where [dead people] say nothing.
Were it not for the help of the Lord, I would soon have gone to the silent grave.
18 I said/thought [to myself], “I am about to die,” but Yahweh, you held me up by faithfully loving me.
When I thought that my foot was slipping, your kindness, Lord, held me up.
19 Whenever I am very worried, you comfort/encourage me and cause me to be happy.
When with cares my heart was crowded, your comforts make me glad.
20 You have nothing to do with wicked judges, who establish laws that allow people to do what is not legal.
Can corrupt justice be your ally, framing mischief by statute?
21 They plan to get rid of righteous [people], and they declare that (innocent people/people who have not done what is wrong) must be executed.
They assail the life of the righteous, and innocent blood condemn.
22 But Yahweh (has become [like] my fortress/protects me) [MET]; my God is [like a huge] rock under which I am protected/safe [MET].
But the Lord is my sure retreat, my God is the rock of my refuge.
23 He will punish those wicked leaders in return for the wicked things that they have done, and will get rid of them for the sins that they have committed; [yes], Yahweh our God will (wipe them out/destroy them completely).
He will bring back their sin upon them, for their wickedness he will destroy them; the Lord our God will destroy them.
