Psalms of Solomon 9

1 When Israel was led away into exile in a foreign land because they had turned away from the Lord who ransomed them, they were cast out from the inheritance the Lord had given them.

2 Israel was scattered among every nation according to God’s word, so that, in the face of our lawlessness, you may be shown righteous in your righteousness, God, because you are a righteous judge over all the peoples of the earth.

3 No one who practices wrongdoing will be hidden from your knowledge, and the righteous deeds of your holy ones are before you, Lord. Where can a person hide from your knowledge, God?

4 Our deeds lie within our soul’s choice and power, to practice righteousness or wrongdoing with the works of our hands; and in your righteousness you call the children of humanity to account.

5 The one who practices righteousness stores up life for himself with the Lord, while the one who practices wrongdoing is himself responsible for his soul’s destruction. For the Lord’s judgments are made in righteousness concerning each person and household.

6 To whom will you show kindness, God, except those who call upon the Lord? You cleanse a soul from sins through open acknowledgment and by telling them openly, because shame rests on us and on our faces for all these things.

7 And whose sins will you forgive except the sins of those who have sinned? You will bless the righteous and will not hold them accountable for the sins they committed, and your kindness rests upon sinners when they have a change of heart.

8 Now you are God, and we are a people whom you loved. Look and have pity, God of Israel, because we belong to you. Do not remove your mercy from us, so they will not attack us.

9 For you chose Abraham’s offspring above all the nations and placed your name upon us, Lord, and you will not reject us forever.

10 You established a covenant with our fathers concerning us, and we will hope in you when our souls turn back.

11 The Lord’s acts of mercy rest upon the house of Israel forever and ever.