Let its morning stars ¹  be darkened; let it wait ²  for daylight but find none, ³  nor let it see the first rays ⁴  of dawn,

Look away from him and let him desist, ¹  until he fulfills ²  his time like a hired man.

Rise up, Lord! Confront him! ¹  Knock him down! ²  Use your sword to rescue me from the wicked man! ³ 

For this reason every one of your faithful followers ¹  should pray to you while there is a window of opportunity. ²  Certainly ³  when the surging water ⁴  rises, it will not reach them. ⁵ 

One deep stream calls out to another ¹  at the sound of your waterfalls; ²  all your billows and waves overwhelm me. ³ 

My enemies’ taunts cut into me to the bone, ¹  as they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” ² 

O Lord, may you hear my prayer and be favorably disposed to me! ¹  O God, because of your great loyal love, answer me with your faithful deliverance! ² 

They say to themselves, ¹  “We will oppress all of them.” ²  They burn down all the places where people worship God in the land. ³ 

Help us, O God, our deliverer! For the sake of your glorious reputation, ¹  rescue us! Forgive our sins for the sake of your reputation! ² 

Why did you break down its walls, ¹  so that all who pass by pluck its fruit? ² 

Your people willingly follow you ¹  when you go into battle. ²  On the holy hills ³  at sunrise ⁴  the dew of your youth ⁵  belongs to you. ⁶ 

The one who stiffens his neck ¹  after numerous rebukes ²  will suddenly be destroyed ³  without remedy. ⁴ 

For this reason ¹  the sovereign master, the Lord who commands armies, will make his healthy ones emaciated. ²  His majestic glory will go up in smoke. ³ 

At that time ¹  the Lord will remove their burden from your shoulders, ²  and their yoke from your neck; the yoke will be taken off because your neck will be too large. ³ 

You saw the many breaks in the walls of the city of David; ¹  you stored up water in the lower pool.

These double disasters confronted you. But who feels sorry for you? Destruction and devastation, famine and sword. But who consoles you? ¹ 

How delightful it is to see approaching over the mountains ¹  the feet of a messenger who announces peace, a messenger who brings good news, who announces deliverance, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” ² 

For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your children will conquer ¹  nations and will resettle desolate cities.

They are eager to do evil, ¹  quick to shed innocent blood. ²  Their thoughts are sinful; they crush and destroy. ³ 

For, look, darkness covers the earth and deep darkness covers ¹  the nations, but the Lord shines on you; his splendor ²  appears over you.