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 bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Like as a lion that is greedy of his 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 wroth.

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 pavilion around him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.

Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were uncovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy 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 have fallen under my feet.

They cried to thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

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

They looked to him, and were lightened: 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 to my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

Kings daughters were among thy honorable women: upon thy right hand stood the queen in gold of Ophir.

The heathen 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 wondered; they were troubled, and hasted away.

If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: 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 they were in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.

O that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

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

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 rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.

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

The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were disturbed.

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

They were not estranged from their desire: but while their meat 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 passeth away, and cometh 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 shade of it, and its boughs were like the goodly cedars.

I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

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

But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.

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

Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went astray with their own inventions.

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.

O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

Thy eyes saw my substance, yet being imperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

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