So that my enemy will not tear me like a lion,
Dragging me away while there is no one to rescue [me].

The voice of the Lord makes the doe labor and give birth
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple all are saying, “Glory!”

For I have heard the slander and whispering of many,
Terror is on every side;
While they schemed together against me,
They plotted to take away my life.

For yet a little while and the wicked one will be gone [forever];
Though you look carefully where he used to be, he will not be [found].

I said, “I will guard my ways
That I may not sin with my tongue;
I will muzzle my mouth
While the wicked are in my presence.”

I was mute and silent [before my enemies],
I refrained even from good,
And my distress grew worse.

My heart was hot within me.
While I was musing the fire burned;
Then I spoke with my tongue:

And when one comes to see me, he speaks empty words,
While his heart gathers malicious gossip [against me];
When he goes away, he tells it [everywhere].

My tears have been my food day and night,
While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

As a crushing of my bones [with a sword], my adversaries taunt me,
While they say continually to me, “Where is your God?”

Though while he lives he counts himself happy and prosperous—
And though people praise you when you do well for yourself—

So will I bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.

Let them fear You [with awe-inspired reverence and worship You with obedience] while the sun endures,
And as long as the moon [reflects light], throughout all generations.

Before they had satisfied their desire,
And while their food was in their mouths,

I was afflicted and close to death from my youth on;
I suffer Your terrors; I am overcome.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

His heart is upheld, he will not fear
While he looks [with satisfaction] on his adversaries.

Nor do those who pass by say,
“The blessing of the Lord be upon you;
We bless you in the name of the Lord.”

Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
While I pass by and safely escape [from danger].

While I live I will praise the Lord;
I will sing praises to my God as long as I live.