Psalm 94
1 Du Gott der Rache, o HERR, du Gott der Rache, erscheine!
Yahweh, you are able to get revenge [on your enemies]. [So] show them that you are going to punish them!
2 Erhebe dich, Richter der Erde, vergilt den Stolzen nach ihrem Tun!
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.
3 Wie lange noch sollen die Gottlosen, HERR, wie lange noch sollen die Gottlosen jubeln,
Yahweh, how long will those wicked [people] be glad/happy? It is not right that [RHQ] they continue being glad!
4 sollen sie geifern und trotzige Reden führen, alle Übeltäter stolz sich brüsten?
They do evil things, and they boast about doing them; how long will they [be allowed to] continue doing that?
5 Dein Volk, o HERR, zertreten sie und bedrücken dein Erbe;
Yahweh, [it is as though] those wicked people crush [us], your people; they (oppress/treat cruelly) those who belong to you [DOU].
6 sie erwürgen Witwe und Fremdling und morden die Waisen
They murder widows and orphans and people from other countries who [think it is safe to] live in our land.
7 und sagen dabei: »Nicht sieht es der HERR« oder: »Nicht merkt es der Gott Jakobs.«
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].”
8 Nehmt Verstand an, ihr Unvernünftigen im Volk, und ihr Toren: wann wollt ihr Einsicht gewinnen?
You evil people [who rule Israel], you are foolish and stupid; when will you become wise [RHQ]?
9 Der das Ohr gepflanzt, der sollte nicht hören? Der das Auge gebildet, der sollte nicht sehn?
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]?
10 Der die Völker erzieht, der sollte nicht strafen, er, der die Menschen Erkenntnis lehrt?
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]?
11 Der HERR kennt wohl die Gedanken der Menschen, daß nur ein Hauch sie sind.
Yahweh knows [everything] that people are thinking; he knows that what they think ([is useless/vanishes as quickly as]) smoke [MET].
12 Wohl dem Manne, den du, HERR, in Zucht nimmst, und den du aus deinem Gesetz belehrst,
Yahweh, you are pleased with people who [want you to] discipline/correct them, those who [want you to] teach them your laws.
13 damit er sich Ruhe verschaffe vor Unglückstagen, bis dem Frevler die Grube man gräbt!
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].
14 Denn der HERR wird sein Volk nicht verstoßen und sein Erbe nicht verlassen;
Yahweh will not abandon his people; he will not desert like that those who belong to him [DOU].
15 denn Recht muß doch Recht bleiben, und ihm werden alle redlich Gesinnten sich anschließen.
[Some day] judges will decide matters fairly for people, and all honest/righteous people will be pleased about that.
16 Wer leistet mir Beistand gegen die Bösen? Wer tritt für mich ein gegen die Übeltäter?
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].
17 Wäre der HERR nicht mein Helfer gewesen, so wohnte meine Seele wohl schon im stillen Land.
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.
18 Sooft ich dachte: »Mein Fuß will wanken«, hat deine Gnade, HERR, mich immer gestützt;
I said/thought [to myself], “I am about to die,” but Yahweh, you held me up by faithfully loving me.
19 bei der Menge meiner Sorgen in meiner Brust haben deine Tröstungen mir das Herz erquickt.
Whenever I am very worried, you comfort/encourage me and cause me to be happy.
20 Sollte verbündet dir sein der Richterstuhl des Unheils, der Verderben schafft durch Gesetzesverdrehung?
You have nothing to do with wicked judges, who establish laws that allow people to do what is not legal.
21 Sie tun sich ja zusammen gegen das Leben des Gerechten und verurteilen unschuldig Blut.
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.
22 Doch der HERR ist mir zur festen Burg geworden, mein Gott zu meinem Zufluchtsfelsen;
But Yahweh (has become [like] my fortress/protects me) [MET]; my God is [like a huge] rock under which I am protected/safe [MET].
23 er läßt ihren Frevel auf sie selber fallen und wird sie ob ihrer Bosheit vertilgen: ja vertilgen wird sie der HERR, unser Gott.
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).
