1 In that day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “A strong city is ours; He {YHWH, Mighty Protector} will appoint salvation as walls {chomot: defensive barriers} and ramparts.”
2 Open the gates and let the righteous nation {goy-ẓaddik: people committed to justice} enter, the one who keeps faithfulness {emunim: steadfast truth}.
3 You {YHWH, Peace Preserver} will keep the one whose mind is steadfast {samukh: firmly supported} in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.
4 Place your trust in the LORD {YHWH, Eternal Stronghold} always, for the LORD Yah is an everlasting Rock {tsur: unshakable foundation}.
5 For He {YHWH, Supreme Judge} has brought low those who dwell on high, the lofty {nisgavah: haughty} city; He will bring her down to the earth and lay her in the dust.
6 The foot will trample it, the feet of the poor {ani: impoverished ones} and the steps of the needy {dallim: those in want}.
7 The path of the righteous {tsaddiq: morally upright} is uprightness; You {YHWH, Upholder of Justice} make smooth the way of the righteous.
8 Indeed, in the path of your judgments, O LORD {YHWH, Righteous Judge}, we have waited for you; for your name and your remembrance are the desire of the soul {nefesh: life essence}.
9 My soul has desired You {YHWH, Covenant Judge} in the night; indeed, my spirit within me will seek You at dawn. For when Your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn justice {tzedek: covenantal righteousness}.
10 Though favor is shown to the wicked, he does not learn righteousness; in a land of uprightness he still acts unjustly, and he will not look upon the majesty {geut: exalted splendor} of the LORD {YHWH, Supreme in Glory}.
11 LORD {YHWH, Supreme Judge}, Your hand {yadkha: symbol of power} is raised high, but they do not see it. They will see and be ashamed because of the zeal for Your people. Indeed, fire will consume Your enemies.
12 LORD {YHWH, Peace Giver}, You will establish peace {shalom: wholeness and well-being} for us; for indeed, all our works You have accomplished for us.
13 LORD our God {YHWH Eloheinu, Covenant Redeemer}, other lords {adonim: human rulers} besides You have ruled over us; by You alone we will remember Your name.
14 They are dead; they will not live; the shades will not rise. Therefore You {YHWH, Judge and Destroyer} visited and destroyed them, and You wiped out all remembrance {zekher: lasting legacy} of them.
15 You have increased the nation, O LORD {YHWH, Covenant Exalter}; You have increased the nation; You have been glorified {nikbadta: made weighty}; You have enlarged all the far borders of the land.
16 LORD {YHWH, Helper in Hardship}, in distress they sought {pekadukha: urgent appeal} You; they poured out a whispered prayer when Your discipline was upon them.
17 Like a pregnant woman who draws near to give birth, begins labor, and cries out in her pangs {chavalot: childbirth pains}, so we have been before You, LORD {YHWH, Sovereign Witness}.
18 We have conceived, we have been in labor, as if we gave birth to wind {ruach: empty wind}; we have accomplished no deliverances {yeshuot: saving acts} in the earth, and the inhabitants of the world have not fallen.
19 Your dead will live; my dead body will rise. Wake up and shout for joy, dwellers of dust! For your dew is a dew of lights {orot: radiant illumination}, and the earth will cast out the shades {refa’im: departed spirits}.
20 Go, my people, withdraw into your chambers {chadarim: Inner Rooms}, and shut your door behind you; hide yourself for a brief moment, until the indignation passes {za'am: Divine Wrath}.
21 For, look, the LORD {YHWH, Just Avenger} is stepping out from His place to punish the iniquity {awon: moral guilt} of the inhabitants of the earth. The earth will expose her blood and will no longer hide her slain.