A Plea Against the Wicked
Psalms 93
Appointed for the fourth day of the week, this psalm calls on the Lord as the God of vengeance to rise up and judge the proud, who oppress his people and kill the widow, the orphan, and the stranger while denying that the Lord perceives it. It affirms that the Lord will not forsake his people, chastens the man he loves, and has been the psalmist's own refuge and helper.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonTHE Lord is a God of vengeance, the God of vengeance hath given solemn warning.
BrentonA Psalm of David for the fourth day of the week. The Lord is a God of vengeance; the God of vengeance has declared himself.
GreekΨαλμὸς τῷ Δαυὶδ τετράδι σαββάτου. Θεὸς ἐκδικήσεων Κύριος, ὁ Θεὸς ἐκδικήσεων ἐπαῤῥησιάσατο.
KJVO Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
JPSO LORD, Thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, Thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, shine forth.
2
ThomsonExalt Thyself, O thou judge of the earth; render a retribution to the proud.
BrentonBe thou exalted, thou that judgest the earth: render a reward to the proud.
GreekὙψώθητι ὁ κρίνων τὴν γῆν, ἀπόδος ἀνταπόδοσιν τοῖς ὑπερηφάνοις.
KJVLift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.
JPSLift up Thyself, Thou Judge of the earth; Render to the proud their recompense.
3
ThomsonHow long shall sinners, O Lord—how long shall sinners boast?
BrentonHow long shall sinners, O Lord, how long shall sinners boast?
GreekἝως πότε ἁμαρτωλοὶ, Κύριε, ἕως πότε ἁμαρτωλοὶ καυχήσονται;
KJVLORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
JPSLORD, how long shall the wicked, How long shall the wicked exult?
4
ThomsonShall they declaim and utter injustice? Shall all the workers of iniquity speak?
BrentonThey will utter and speak unrighteousness; all the workers of iniquity will speak so.
GreekΦθέγξονται καὶ λαλήσουσιν ἀδικίαν, λαλήσουσι πάντες οἱ ἐργαζόμενοι τὴν ἀνομίαν.
KJVHow long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
JPSThey gush out, they speak arrogancy; All the workers of iniquity bear themselves loftily.
5
ThomsonThey have oppressed Thy people, O Lord: and afflicted Thine inheritance.
BrentonThey have afflicted thy people, O Lord, and hurt thine heritage.
GreekΤὸν λαόν σου, Κύριε, ἐταπείνωσαν, καὶ τὴν κληρονομίαν σου ἐκάκωσαν.
KJVThey break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.
JPSThey crush Thy people, O LORD, And afflict Thy heritage.
6
ThomsonThey have slain the widow and orphan: they have murdered the stranger,
BrentonThey have slain the widow and fatherless, and murdered the stranger.
GreekΧήραν καὶ ὀρφανὸν ἀπέκτειναν, καὶ προσήλυτον ἐφόνευσαν.
KJVThey slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
JPSThey slay the widow and the stranger, And murder the fatherless.
7
Thomsonand said, The Lord cannot see, nor can the God of Jacob discern.
BrentonAnd they said, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob understand.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν, οὐκ ὄψεται Κύριος, οὐδὲ συνήσει ὁ Θεὸς τοῦ Ἰακώβ.
KJVYet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
JPSAnd they say: 'The LORD will not see, Neither will the God of Jacob give heed.'
8
ThomsonConsider I beseech you, ye brutish among the people. And ye fools, at length be wise.
BrentonUnderstand now, ye simple among the people; and ye fools, at length be wise.
GreekΣύνετε δὴ ἄφρονες ἐν τῷ λαῷ, καὶ μωροὶ, ποτὲ φρονήσατε.
KJVUnderstand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
JPSConsider, ye brutish among the people; And ye fools, when will ye understand?
9
ThomsonDoth not He, Who hath planted the ear, hear? And doth not He who formed the eye, see?
BrentonHe that planted the ear, does he not hear? or he that formed the eye, does not he perceive?
GreekὉ φυτεύσας τὸ οὖς, οὐχὶ ἀκούει; ἢ ὁ πλάσας τὸν ὀφθαλμὸν, οὐχὶ κατανοεῖ;
KJVHe that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
JPSHe that planted the ear, shall He not hear? He that formed the eye, shall He not see?
10
Thomson—
BrentonHe that chastises the heathen, shall not he punish, even he that teaches man knowledge?
GreekὉ παιδεύων ἔθνη, οὐχὶ ἐλέγξει; ὁ διδάσκων ἄνθρωπον γνῶσιν;
KJVHe that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
JPSHe that instructeth nations, shall not He correct? Even He that teacheth man knowledge?
11
ThomsonThe Lord knoweth the thoughts of these men, that they are vain.
BrentonThe Lord knows the thoughts of men, that they are vain.
GreekΚύριος γινώσκει τοὺς διαλογισμοὺς τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὅτι εἰσὶ μάταιοι.
KJVThe LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
JPSThe LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity.
12
ThomsonHappy the man, whom Thou, O Lord wilt instruct; and whom Thou wilt teach out of Thy law;
BrentonBlessed is the man whomsoever thou shalt chasten, O Lord, and shalt teach him out of thy law;
GreekΜακάριος ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὃν ἂν σὺ παιδεύσῃς Κύριε, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ νόμου σου διδάξῃς αὐτόν·
KJVBlessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
JPSHappy is the man whom Thou instructest, O LORD, And teachest out of Thy law;
13
Thomsonin order to set him at ease from evil days; until a pit be dug for the sinner.
Brentonto give him rest from evil days, until a pit be digged for the sinful one.
Greekτοῦ πραΰναι αὐτῷ ἀφʼ ἡμερῶν πονηρῶν, ἕως οὗ ὀρυγῇ τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ βόθρος.
KJVThat thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.
JPSThat Thou mayest give him rest from the days of evil, Until the pit be digged for the wicked.
14
ThomsonFor the Lord will not cast off His people; nor will He forsake His inheritance;
BrentonFor the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance;
GreekὍτι οὐκ ἀπώσεται Κύριος τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὴν κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐγκαταλείψει,
KJVFor the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.
JPSFor the LORD will not cast off His people, Neither will He forsake His inheritance.
15
Thomsontill justice return to judgment; and all the upright in heart be in her train.
Brentonuntil righteousness return to judgment, and all the upright in heart shall follow it. Pause.
Greekἕως οὗ δικαιοσύνη ἐπιστρέψῃ εἰς κρίσιν, καὶ ἐχόμενοι αὐτῆς πάντες οἱ εὐθεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ· διάψαλμα.
KJVBut judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
JPSFor right shall return unto justice, And all the upright in heart shall follow it.
16
ThomsonWho will stand up for me against evil doers? Or who will assist me against the workers of iniquity?
BrentonWho will rise up for me against the transgressors? or who will stand up with me against the workers of iniquity?
GreekΤίς ἀναστήσεταί μοι ἐπὶ πονηρευομένους, ἢ τίς συμπαραστήσεταί μοι ἐπὶ τοὺς ἐργαζομένους τὴν ἀνομίαν;
KJVWho will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
JPSWho will rise up for me against the evil-doers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
17
ThomsonHad not the Lord indeed come to mine assistance, my soul would soon have sojourned in the mansion of the dead.
BrentonIf the Lord had not helped me, my soul had almost sojourned in Hades.
GreekΕἰ μὴ ὅτι Κύριος ἐβοήθησέ μοι, παραβραχὺ παρῴκησε τῷ ᾅδῃ ἡ ψυχή μου.
KJVUnless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
JPSUnless the LORD had been my help, My soul had soon dwelt in silence.
18
Thomson—
BrentonIf I said, My foot has been moved;
GreekΕἰ ἔλεγον, σεσάλευται ὁ πούς μου, τὸ ἔλεός σου Κύριε ἐβοήθει μοι.
KJVWhen I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
JPS—
19
Thomson—
Brentonthy mercy, O Lord, helped me. O Lord, according to the multitude of my griefs within my heart, thy consolations have soothed my soul.
GreekΚύριε, κατὰ τὸ πλῆθος τῶν ὀδυνῶν μου ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ μου, αἱ παρακλήσεις σου ἠγάπησαν τὴν ψυχήν μου.
KJVIn the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
JPS—
20
ThomsonO Lord, according to the multitude of the sorrows of my heart; Thy comforts delighted my soul. Shall a throne of iniquity—shall he who framed mischief for law, have fellowship with Thee?
BrentonShall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frames mischief by an ordinance?
GreekΜὴ συμπροσέσται σοι θρόνος ἀνομίας, ὁ πλάσσων κόπον ἐπὶ προστάγματι.
KJVShall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?
JPSShall the seat of wickedness have fellowship with Thee, Which frameth mischief by statute?
21
ThomsonShall they hunt for the soul of the righteous? And shall they condemn innocent blood?
BrentonThey will hunt for the soul of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood.
GreekΘηρεύσουσιν ἐπὶ ψυχὴν δικαίου, καὶ αἷμα ἀθῶον καταδικάσονται.
KJVThey gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
JPSThey gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, And condemn innocent blood.
22
ThomsonThe Lord indeed was My refuge: my God was the support of my hope.
BrentonBut the Lord was my refuge; and my God the helper of my hope.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετό μοι Κύριος εἰς καταφυγὴν, καὶ ὁ Θεός μου εἰς βοηθὸν ἐλπίδος μου.
KJVBut the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
JPSBut the LORD hath been my high tower, And my God the rock of my refuge.
23
ThomsonHe will make them retribution for their iniquity and their wickedness: the Lord our God will utterly destroy them.
BrentonAnd he will recompense to them their iniquity and their wickedness: the Lord our God shall utterly destroy them.
GreekΚαὶ ἀποδώσει αὐτοῖς τὴν ἀνομίαν αὐτῶν, καὶ τὴν πονηρίαν αὐτῶν· ἀφανιεῖ αὐτοὺς Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν.
KJVAnd he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.
JPSAnd He hath brought upon them their own iniquity, And will cut them off in their own evil; The LORD our God will cut them off.