A Psalm of Solomon: With a song.

1 When I was in trouble I called upon the name of God: I trusted in the God of Israel for help, and I was preserved.

2 For Thou art the hope and refuge of the needy, O God;

3 For who, O God, is strong save to praise Thee in truth?

4 And wherein is a man able, save to give thanks unto Thy name?

5 A psalm and praise with a song in gladness of heart: the fruit of the lips with the well-tuned instrument of the tongue: the firstfruits of the lips from a holy and righteous heart;

6 He that doeth these things shall not be removed for ever by evil: flaming fire and the wrath against the ungodly shall not touch him,

7 When it goeth forth against the sinners from before the face of God, to destroy all the substance of the sinners,

8 For the mark of God is upon the righteous unto their salvation. Famine and the sword and pestilence shall be far from the righteous.

9 For they shall flee from the saints as an enemy that is pursued: but it shall pursue after the sinners and shall overtake them: and they that work wickedness shall not escape the judgment of God; they shall be overtaken as it were by mighty men of war.

10 For the mark of destruction is upon their forehead,

11 And the inheritance of the sinners is destruction and darkness: and their iniquities shall pursue them as far as hell beneath.

12 Their inheritance shall not be found of their children.

13 For their iniquities shall lay waste the houses of sinners: and the sinners shall perish in the day of God's judgment for ever,

14 When God visiteth the earth with His judgment to recompense the sinners unto everlasting.

15 But they that fear God shall find mercy therein: and shall live in the righteousness of their God.