The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.

Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD brings back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Like as a lion that is greedy of its prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was angry.

There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

He made darkness his secret place; his canopy round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.

Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were uncovered at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them who hated me: for they were too strong for me.

For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.

I have pursued my enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.

They cried unto you, and were delivered: they trusted in you, and were not disappointed.

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

They looked unto him, and were radiant: and their faces were not ashamed.

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into my own bosom.

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not your peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with you, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

Kings' daughters were among your honorable women: at your right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

They saw it, and so they marveled; they were troubled, and hastened away.

If I were hungry, I would not tell you: for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God has scattered the bones of him that encamps against you: you have put them to shame, because God has despised them.

Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God brings back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many against me.

He has put forth his hands against such as were at peace with him: he has broken his covenant.

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

To him that rides upon the heaven of heavens, which were of old; lo, he does send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had nearly slipped.

The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.

So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;

They were not separated from their desire. But while their food was yet in their mouths,

For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant.

For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passes away, and comes not again.

But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.

The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.

The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars.

I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were freed from the basket.

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.

You answered them, O LORD our God: you were a God that forgave them, though you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.

When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.

But were mixed among the nations, and learned their works.

And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.

Thus were they defiled with their own works, and played the harlot with their own deeds.

Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.

Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.

What ailed you, O you sea, that you fled? you Jordan, that you were driven back?

O that my ways were directed to keep your statutes!

[A song of ascents.] When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

Your eyes did see my substance, being yet unformed; and in your book they were all written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.