The nations fell into the pit they had made; their feet were caught in the net they had hidden.

The Lord revealed himself; he accomplished justice; the wicked were ensnared by their own actions. (Higgaion. Selah)

All those who behave wickedly do not understand -- those who devour my people as if they were eating bread, and do not call out to the Lord.

The depths of the sea were exposed; the inner regions of the world were uncovered by your battle cry, Lord, by the powerful breath from your nose.

He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hate me, for they were too strong for me.

To you they cried out, and they were saved; in you they trusted and they were not disappointed.

By the Lord's decree the heavens were made; by a mere word from his mouth all the stars in the sky were created.

When they were sick, I wore sackcloth, and refrained from eating food. (If I am lying, may my prayers go unanswered!)

I mourned for them as I would for a friend or my brother. I bowed down in sorrow as if I were mourning for my mother.

Evil men will soon disappear; you will stare at the spot where they once were, but they will be gone.

Hear my prayer, O Lord! Listen to my cry for help! Do not ignore my sobbing! For I am dependent on you, like one residing outside his native land; I am at your mercy, just as all my ancestors were.

For they did not conquer the land by their swords, and they did not prevail by their strength, but rather by your power, strength and good favor, for you were partial to them.

Even if I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and all it contains belong to me.

All those who behave wickedly do not understand -- those who devour my people as if they were eating bread, and do not call out to God.

My own brothers treat me like a stranger; they act as if I were a foreigner.

The bravehearted were plundered; they "fell asleep." All the warriors were helpless.

Then they will not be like their ancestors, who were a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that was not committed and faithful to God.

The Ephraimites were armed with bows, but they retreated in the day of battle.

They ate until they were stuffed; he gave them what they desired.

They were not yet filled up, their food was still in their mouths,

They were not really committed to him, and they were unfaithful to his covenant.

He remembered that they were made of flesh, and were like a wind that blows past and does not return.

They were unfaithful and acted as treacherously as their ancestors; they were as unreliable as a malfunctioning bow.

The mountains were covered by its shadow, the highest cedars by its branches.

It said: "I removed the burden from his shoulder; his hands were released from holding the basket.

They were destroyed at Endor; their corpses were like manure on the ground.

Even before the mountains came into existence, or you brought the world into being, you were the eternal God.

He says, "Do not be stubborn like they were at Meribah, like they were that day at Massah in the wilderness,

Moses and Aaron were among his priests; Samuel was one of those who prayed to him. They prayed to the Lord and he answered them.

For I eat ashes as if they were bread, and mix my drink with my tears,

He covers himself with light as if it were a garment. He stretches out the skies like a tent curtain,

When they were few in number, just a very few, and resident aliens within it,

Egypt was happy when they left, for they were afraid of them.

He shouted at the Red Sea and it dried up; he led them through the deep water as if it were a desert.

They were defiled by their deeds, and unfaithful in their actions.

Their enemies oppressed them; they were subject to their authority.

They were hungry and thirsty; they fainted from exhaustion.

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

As for their enemies, they decreased in number and were beaten down, because of painful distress and suffering.

My accusers will be covered with shame, and draped in humiliation as if it were a robe.

If only I were predisposed to keep your statutes!

Then I would not be ashamed, if I were focused on all your commands.

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

A song of ascents. When the Lord restored the well-being of Zion, we thought we were dreaming.

The Lord did indeed accomplish great things for us. We were happy.

If you, O Lord, were to keep track of sins, O Lord, who could stand before you?

to the one who remembered us when we were down, for his loyal love endures,

If I were to ascend to heaven, you would be there. If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be.

If I were to fly away on the wings of the dawn, and settle down on the other side of the sea,

If I were to say, "Certainly the darkness will cover me, and the light will turn to night all around me,"

my bones were not hidden from you, when I was made in secret and sewed together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb. All the days ordained for me were recorded in your scroll before one of them came into existence.