1 [A [shiggaion] by David; he sang it to the LORD about the [slanderous] words of Cush, a descendant of Benjamin.] O LORD my God, I have taken refuge in you. Save me, and rescue me from all who are pursuing me.

2 Like a lion they will tear me to pieces and drag me off with no one to rescue me.

3 O LORD my God, if I have done this- if my hands are stained with injustice,

4 if I have paid back my friend with evil or rescued someone who has no reason to attack me-

5 then let the enemy chase me and catch me. Let him trample my life into the ground. Let him lay my honor in the dust. [Selah]

6 Arise in anger, O LORD. Stand up against the fury of my attackers. Wake up, my God. You have already pronounced judgment.

7 Let an assembly of people gather around you. Take your seat high above them.

8 The LORD judges the people of the world. Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity.

9 Let the evil within wicked people come to an end, but make the righteous person secure, O righteous God who examines thoughts and emotions.

10 My shield is God above, who saves those whose motives are decent.

11 God is a fair judge, a God who is angered by injustice every day.

12 If a person does not change, God sharpens his sword. By bending his bow, he makes it ready [to shoot].

13 He prepares his deadly weapons and turns them into flaming arrows.

14 See how that person conceives evil, is pregnant with harm, and gives birth to lies.

15 He digs a pit and shovels it out. Then he falls into the hole that he made [for others].

16 His mischief lands back on his own head. His violence comes down on top of him.

17 I will give thanks to the LORD for his righteousness. I will make music to praise the name of the LORD Most High.