Is it not misfortune for the unjust, and disaster for those who work iniquity?

Did not the one who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us in the womb?

if the members of my household have never said, 'If only there were someone who has not been satisfied from Job's meat!' --

It is not the aged who are wise, nor old men who understand what is right.

What man is like Job, who drinks derision like water!

Who entrusted to him the earth? And who put him over the whole world?

Do you really think that one who hates justice can govern? And will you declare guilty the supremely righteous One,

who says to a king, 'Worthless man' and to nobles, 'Wicked men,'

who shows no partiality to princes, and does not take note of the rich more than the poor, because all of them are the work of his hands?

But if God is quiet, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, then who can see him? Yet he is over the individual and the nation alike,

But no one says, 'Where is God, my Creator, who gives songs in the night,

who teaches us more than the wild animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?'

For in truth, my words are not false; it is one complete in knowledge who is with you.

Indeed, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him?

Who has prescribed his ways for him? Or said to him, 'You have done what is wicked'?

Who can understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion?

Do you know about the balancing of the clouds, that wondrous activity of him who is perfect in knowledge?

"Who is this who darkens counsel with words without knowledge?

Who set its measurements -- if you know -- or who stretched a measuring line across it?

On what were its bases set, or who laid its cornerstone --

"Who shut up the sea with doors when it burst forth, coming out of the womb,

Who carves out a channel for the heavy rains, and a path for the rumble of thunder,

Does the rain have a father, or who has fathered the drops of the dew?

From whose womb does the ice emerge, and the frost from the sky, who gives birth to it,

Who has put wisdom in the heart, or has imparted understanding to the mind?

Who by wisdom can count the clouds, and who can tip over the water jars of heaven,

Who prepares prey for the raven, when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?

Who let the wild donkey go free? Who released the bonds of the donkey,

to whom I appointed the steppe for its home, the salt wastes as its dwelling place?

"Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let the person who accuses God give him an answer!"

It ranks first among the works of God, the One who made it has furnished it with a sword.

Is it not fierce when it is awakened? Who is he, then, who can stand before it?

(Who has confronted me that I should repay? Everything under heaven belongs to me!)

Who can uncover its outer covering? Who can penetrate to the inside of its armor?

Who can open the doors of its mouth? Its teeth all around are fearsome.

you asked, 'Who is this who darkens counsel without knowledge?' But I have declared without understanding things too wonderful for me to know.

So they came to him, all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and they dined with him in his house. They comforted him and consoled him for all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.

Nowhere in all the land could women be found who were as beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance alongside their brothers.

How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers!

Give sincere homage! Otherwise he will be angry, and you will die because of your behavior, when his anger quickly ignites. How blessed are all who take shelter in him!

But you, Lord, are a shield that protects me; you are my glory and the one who restores me.

I am not afraid of the multitude of people who attack me from all directions.

For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm of David. When I call out, answer me, O God who vindicates me! Though I am hemmed in, you will lead me into a wide, open place. Have mercy on me and respond to my prayer!

Many say, "Who can show us anything good?" Smile upon us, Lord!

You make me happier than those who have abundant grain and wine.

Certainly you are not a God who approves of evil; evil people cannot dwell with you.

Arrogant people cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who behave wickedly.

Lord, lead me in your righteousness because of those who wait to ambush me, remove the obstacles in the way in which you are guiding me!

But may all who take shelter in you be happy! May they continually shout for joy! Shelter them so that those who are loyal to you may rejoice!

For no one remembers you in the realm of death, In Sheol who gives you thanks?

Turn back from me, all you who behave wickedly, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping!

A musical composition by David, which he sang to the Lord concerning a Benjaminite named Cush. O Lord my God, in you I have taken shelter. Deliver me from all who chase me! Rescue me!

May the evil deeds of the wicked come to an end! But make the innocent secure, O righteous God, you who examine inner thoughts and motives!

The Exalted God is my shield, the one who delivers the morally upright.

See the one who is pregnant with wickedness, who conceives destructive plans, and gives birth to harmful lies --

Your loyal followers trust in you, for you, Lord, do not abandon those who seek your help.

Sing praises to the Lord, who rules in Zion! Tell the nations what he has done!

For the one who takes revenge against murderers took notice of the oppressed; he did not overlook their cry for help

when they prayed: "Have mercy on me, Lord! See how I am oppressed by those who hate me, O one who can snatch me away from the gates of death!

Yes, the wicked man boasts because he gets what he wants; the one who robs others curses and rejects the Lord.

You have taken notice, for you always see one who inflicts pain and suffering. The unfortunate victim entrusts his cause to you; you deliver the fatherless.

The Lord approves of the godly, but he hates the wicked and those who love to do violence.

They say, "We speak persuasively; we know how to flatter and boast. Who is our master?"

The Lord looks down from heaven at the human race, to see if there is anyone who is wise and seeks God.

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.

A psalm of David. Lord, who may be a guest in your home? Who may live on your holy hill?

He does not charge interest when he lends his money. He does not take bribes to testify against the innocent. The one who lives like this will never be upended.

As for God's chosen people who are in the land, and the leading officials I admired so much --

I will praise the Lord who guides me; yes, during the night I reflect and learn.

Accomplish awesome, faithful deeds, you who powerfully deliver those who look to you for protection from their enemies.

Protect me from the wicked men who attack me, my enemies who crowd around me for the kill.

For the music director; by the Lord's servant David, who sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord rescued him from the power of all his enemies, including Saul. He said: "I love you, Lord, my source of strength!

I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I was delivered from my enemies.

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

You prove to be loyal to one who is faithful; you prove to be trustworthy to one who is innocent.

You prove to be reliable to one who is blameless, but you prove to be deceptive to one who is perverse.

For you deliver oppressed people, but you bring down those who have a proud look.

The one true God acts in a faithful manner; the Lord's promise is reliable; he is a shield to all who take shelter in him.

Indeed, who is God besides the Lord? Who is a protector besides our God?

You make my enemies retreat; I destroy those who hate me.

You rescue me from a hostile army; you make me a leader of nations; people over whom I had no authority are now my subjects.

The Lord is alive! My protector is praiseworthy! The God who delivers me is exalted as king!

He delivers me from my enemies; you snatch me away from those who attack me; you rescue me from violent men.

Yes, your servant finds moral guidance there; those who obey them receive a rich reward.

Who can know all his errors? Please do not punish me for sins I am unaware of.

You prevail over all your enemies; your power is too great for those who hate you.

All who see me taunt me; they mock me and shake their heads.

Yes, you are the one who brought me out from the womb and made me feel secure on my mother's breasts.

Let the oppressed eat and be filled! Let those who seek his help praise the Lord! May you live forever!

All of the thriving people of the earth will join the celebration and worship; all those who are descending into the grave will bow before him, including those who cannot preserve their lives.

A psalm of David. The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it.

Who is allowed to ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may go up to his holy dwelling place?

The one whose deeds are blameless and whose motives are pure, who does not lie, or make promises with no intention of keeping them.

Such godly people are rewarded by the Lord, and vindicated by the God who delivers them.

Such purity characterizes the people who seek his favor, Jacob's descendants, who pray to him. (Selah)

Who is this majestic king? The Lord who is strong and mighty! The Lord who is mighty in battle!

Who is this majestic king? The Lord who commands armies! He is the majestic king! (Selah)

Certainly none who rely on you will be humiliated. Those who deal in treachery will be thwarted and humiliated.

Guide me into your truth and teach me. For you are the God who delivers me; on you I rely all day long.

The Lord always proves faithful and reliable to those who follow the demands of his covenant.