20 According to my righteousness
he did me recompense;
he me repaid according to
my hands’ pure innocence.
21 For I the Lord’s ways kept, nor from
my God turned wickedly.
22 His judgments were before me, I
his laws put not from me.
23 Sincere before him was my heart,
upright with him was I;
and watchfully I kept myself
from mine iniquity.
24 According to my righteousness
the Lord did me requite;
after the cleanness of my hands
appearing in his sight.
25 Thou to the gracious showest grace,
to just men just thou art;
26 pure to the pure, but froward still
to men of froward heart.
27 For thou wilt the afflicted save
in grief that low do lie;
but wilt bring down the countenance
of those whose looks are high.
28 For thou thyself wilt light my lamp,
that it shall shine full bright:
The Lord my God will also make
my darkness to be light.
29 By thee through troops of men I break,
and them discomfit all;
and, by my God assisting me,
I overleap a wall.
30 As for God, perfect is his way,
Jehovah's word is tried;
he is a buckler to all those
who do in him confide.
31 Who but the Lord is God? but he
who is a rock and stay?
32 ’Tis God that girdeth me with strength,
and perfect makes my way.
33 He made my feet swift as the hinds',
on my heights made me stand;
34 my hands he taught to war, my arms
a bow of brass did bend.
35 The shield of thy salvation thou
upon me didst bestow:
thy right hand held me up, and great
thy kindness made me grow.
36 And in my way my steps thou hast
enlarged under me,
that I go safely, and my feet
are kept from sliding free.
37 Mine enemies I did pursue,
and them did overtake;
nor did I turn again till I
an end of them did make.
38 I wounded them, they could not rise;
they at my feet did fall.
39 Thou girdedst me with strength for war;
my foes thou brought’st down all:
40 and thou hast given to me the necks
of all mine enemies,
that I might utterly destroy
those who against me rise.
41 They in their trouble cried for help,
but there was none to save;
yea, they did cry unto the Lord,
but he no answer gave.
42 Then did I beat them small as dust
before the wind that flies;
and I did cast them out like dirt
upon the street that lies.
43 Thou mad’st me free from people’s strife,
the heathen’s head to be:
a people whom I have not known
shall service do to me.
44 At hearing they shall me obey,
to me they shall submit.
45 Strangers for fear shall fade away
who in their strongholds sit.