1 I’m pleading with you, Yahweh , help me!
1 Don’t close your ears to my cry, for you’re my defender.
1 If you continue to remain aloof and refuse to answer me,
1 I might as well give up and die.
2 Hear my cry for help as I turn toward your mercy seat,
2 as I lift my hands toward your sacred sanctuary.
3 Don’t allow me to be punished along with the wicked—
3 these hypocrites who speak sweetly to their neighbors’ faces
3 while holding evil against them in their hearts.
4 Go ahead and punish them as they deserve.
4 Let them be paid back for all their evil plans
4 in proportion to their wickedness.
5 Since they don’t care anything about you,
5 or understand the great things you’ve done,
5 take them down like an old building being demolished ,
5 never again to be rebuilt.
6 But Yahweh , may your name be blessed and built up !
6 For you have answered my passionate cry for mercy.
7 Yahweh is my strength and my wraparound shield.
7 When I fully trust in you, help is on the way.
7 I jump for joy and burst forth with ecstatic, passionate praise!
7 I will sing songs of what you mean to me!
8 You will be the inner strength of all your people,
8 Yahweh , the mighty protector of all,
8 and the saving strength for all your anointed ones.
9 Save your people whom you love, and bless your chosen ones.
9 Be our shepherd leading us forward,
9 forever carrying us in your arms!