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Listen to me,
    you people who know what is right.
You people who think carefully about my law,
    listen to me.
When people speak against you,
    do not be afraid.
Do not be upset,
    when they insult you.
Those people will soon disappear,
    like clothes that moths have eaten,
    like wool that worms have eaten.
But I will always rule with righteousness.
    I will keep my people safe for ever.’

Wake up, Lord!
    Get ready to show your strength!
Do great things, as you did in past days,
    when our ancestors were alive.
Remember how you cut the monster, Rahab, into pieces.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 51:9 ‘Rahab’ was a monster that lived in the sea. It is a picture of the enemies of God's people. See Psalms 89:10. Here it may mean Egypt.

“Hear me, you who know what is right,(A)
    you people who have taken my instruction to heart:(B)
Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals
    or be terrified by their insults.(C)
For the moth will eat them up like a garment;(D)
    the worm(E) will devour them like wool.
But my righteousness will last forever,(F)
    my salvation through all generations.”

Awake, awake,(G) arm(H) of the Lord,
    clothe yourself with strength!(I)
Awake, as in days gone by,
    as in generations of old.(J)
Was it not you who cut Rahab(K) to pieces,
    who pierced that monster(L) through?

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