They confess to Jehovah His kindness, And His wonders to the sons of men.

They sat in utter darkness, bound in painful iron chains,

because they rebelled against God’s commands
and despised the counsel of the Most High.

He broke their spirits with hard labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
He saved them from their distress.

They confess to Jehovah His kindness, And His wonders to the sons of men.

They acted like fools in their rebellious ways, and suffered because of their sins.

They loathed all food
and came near the gates of death.

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
He saved them from their distress.

He sent them an assuring word and healed them; he rescued them from the pits where they were trapped.

They confess to Jehovah His kindness, And His wonders to the sons of men,

And they sacrifice sacrifices of thanksgiving, And recount His works with singing.

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

They saw the Lord’s works,
His wonderful works in the deep.

They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

they reeled and staggered like drunken men,
and all their skill was useless.

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and He brought them out of their distress.

They rejoiced when the waves grew quiet.
Then He guided them to the harbor they longed for.

They confess to Jehovah His kindness, And His wonders to the sons of men,

And they exalt Him in the assembly of the people, And in the seat of the elders praise Him.

He causes the hungry to settle there,
and they establish a city where they can live.

They sow fields and plant vineyards
that yield a fruitful harvest.

He blesses them, and they multiply greatly;
He does not let their livestock decrease.

When they are diminished and are humbled
by cruel oppression and sorrow,

When the godly see this, they rejoice, and every sinner shuts his mouth.

Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

For wicked and deceitful mouths open against me;
they speak against me with lying tongues.

They surround me with hateful words
and attack me without cause.

In return for my love they accuse me,
but I continue to pray.

They repay me evil for good,
and hatred for my love.

And wander continually do his sons, Yea, they have begged, And have sought out of their dry places.

They are before Jehovah continually, And He cutteth off from earth their memorial.

He wore curses like a garment may they enter his inner being like water and his bones like oil.

I have become an object of ridicule to my accusers;
when they see me, they shake their heads in scorn.

so they may know that this is Your hand
and that You, Lord, have done it.

Though they curse, You will bless.
When they rise up, they will be put to shame,
but Your servant will rejoice.

My accusers will be clothed with disgrace;
they will wear their shame like a cloak.

Great are the works of the Lord;
They are studied by all who delight in them.

The merciful and gracious LORD hath so done his marvelous works, that they ought to be had in remembrance.

They are established forever and ever,
enacted in truth and in what is right.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

When the wicked see this, they will worry; they will grind their teeth in frustration and melt away; the desire of the wicked will perish.

Their idols are made of silver and gold -- they are man-made.

They have mouths but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.

They have ears but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell.

They have hands but cannot feel,
feet, but cannot walk.
They cannot make a sound with their throats.

They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.

They that fear the LORD, let them put their trust in the LORD, for he is their aid and their shield.

The dead praise not thee, O LORD, neither all they that go down into silence.

They fearing Jehovah shall now say that his mercy is forever.

They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me;
in the name of Yahweh I destroyed them.

They surrounded me like bees;
they were extinguished like a fire among thorns;
in the name of Yahweh I destroyed them.

They thrust at me, that I might fall; but the LORD was my help.

They celebrate deliverance in the tents of the godly. The Lord's right hand conquers,

Aleph. O the happiness of those perfect in the way, They are walking in the law of Jehovah,

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

They do nothing wrong;
they follow His ways.

Thou, hast commanded thy precepts, that they should be diligently kept.

I rejoice in the lifestyle prescribed by your rules as if they were riches of all kinds.

Thou rebukest the proud; and cursed are they that depart from thy commandments.

Princes also sat -- against me they spoke, Thy servant doth meditate in Thy statutes,

Yes, I find delight in your rules; they give me guidance.

Make me go in the way of your teachings; for they are my delight.

O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

I have kept the memory of your decisions from times past, O Lord; and they have been my comfort.

Thy hands made me and they will prepare me: cause me to understand and I will learn thy commands.

They that fear you will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in your word.

Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in your precepts.

Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.

The arrogant have dug pits for me;
they violate Your instruction.

All your commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help me.

They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not your precepts.

(Lamed) O Lord, your instructions endure; they stand secure in heaven.

They continue this day according to your ordinances: for all are your servants.

You through your commandments have made me wiser than my enemies: for they are ever with me.

How sweet are your sayings to my taste! truly, they are sweeter than honey in my mouth!

Your testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

You despise all who stray from your statutes, for they are deceptive and unreliable.

You remove all the wicked on earth
as if they were dross;
therefore, I love Your decrees.

It is time for you, LORD, to work: for they have made void your law.

Your instructions are a doorway through which light shines. They give insight to the untrained.

Rivers of waters run down my eyes, because they keep not your law.

You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.

They draw near that follow after evil: they are far from your law.

Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not your statutes.

Many are they pursuing me and pressing me: I declined not from thy testimonies.

I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not your word.

Great peace have they who love your law: and nothing shall offend them.

I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

[A song of ascents. Of David.] I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love you.

Then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us:

[A song of ascents.] They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abides forever.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the nations, The LORD has done great things for them.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

[A song of ascents. Of Solomon.] Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain that build it: unless the LORD keeps the city, the watchman wakes, but in vain.

It is vain for you to rise early, come home late, and work so hard for your food. Yes, he can provide for those whom he loves even when they sleep.

Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

{A song of the stairs} Blessed are all they that fear the LORD, and walk in his ways.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in the inner rooms of your house; your children will be like olive branches, as they sit all around your table.