(A psalm by David for the music leader. To the tune “The Death of the Son”.)

Sing praises to the LORD

1I will praise you, LORD,

with all my heart

and tell about the wonders

you have worked.

2God Most High, I will rejoice;

I will celebrate and sing

because of you.

3When my enemies face you,

they run away and stumble

and are destroyed.

4You take your seat as judge,

and your fair decisions prove

that I was in the right.

5You warn the nations

and destroy evil people;

you wipe out their names

for ever and ever.

6Our enemies are destroyed

completely for all time.

Their cities are torn down,

and they will never

be remembered again.

7You rule for ever, LORD,

and you are on your throne,

ready for judgment.

8You judge the world fairly

and treat all nations

with justice.

9The poor can run to you

because you are a fortress

in times of trouble.

10Everyone who honours your name

can trust you,

because you are faithful

to all who depend on you.

11You rule from Zion, LORD,

and we sing about you

to let the nations know

everything you have done.

12You did not forget

to punish the guilty

or listen to the cries

of those in need.

13Please have mercy, LORD!

My enemies ill-treat me.

Keep me from the gates

that lead to death,

14and I will sing about you

at the gate to Zion.

I will be happy there

because you rescued me.

15Our LORD, the nations fell

into their own pits,

and their feet were caught

in their own traps.

16You showed what you are like,

and you made certain

that justice is done,

but evil people are trapped

by their own evil deeds.

17The wicked will go down

to the world of the dead

to be with those nations

that forgot about you.

18The poor and the homeless

won't always be forgotten

and without hope.

19Do something, LORD!

Don't let the nations win.

Make them stand trial

in your court of law.

20Make the nations afraid

and let them all discover

just how weak they are.