Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Because of the anxiety that makes me groan, my bones protrude from my skin.

By David. Praise the Lord, O my soul! With all that is within me, praise his holy name!

Praise the Lord, all that he has made, in all the regions of his kingdom! Praise the Lord, O my soul!

You set up a boundary for them that they could not cross, so that they would not cover the earth again.

as well as wine that makes people feel so good, and so they can have oil to make their faces shine, as well as food that sustains people's lives.

so that they might keep his commands and obey his laws. Praise the Lord!

Yet he delivered them for the sake of his reputation, that he might reveal his power.

They traded their majestic God for the image of an ox that eats grass.

So he made a solemn vow that he would make them die in the desert,

He led them on a level road, that they might find a city in which to live.

He blessed them so that they became very numerous. He would not allow their cattle to decrease in number.

Deliver by your power and answer me, so that the ones you love may be safe.

Then they will realize this is your work, and that you, Lord, have accomplished it.

He does amazing things that will be remembered; the Lord is merciful and compassionate.

He announced that he would do mighty deeds for his people, giving them a land that belonged to other nations.

He delivered his people; he ordained that his covenant be observed forever. His name is holy and awesome.

that he might seat him with princes, with the princes of his people.

You demand that your precepts be carefully kept.

(He) Teach me, O Lord, the lifestyle prescribed by your statutes, so that I might observe it continually.

Give me understanding so that I might observe your law, and keep it with all my heart.

Take away the insults that I dread! Indeed, your regulations are good.

It was good for me to suffer, so that I might learn your statutes.

(Yod) Your hands made me and formed me. Give me understanding so that I might learn your commands.

I know, Lord, that your regulations are just. You disciplined me because of your faithful devotion to me.

May I be fully committed to your statutes, so that I might not be ashamed.

Revive me with your loyal love, that I might keep the rules you have revealed.

I realize that everything has its limits, but your commands are beyond full comprehension.

I stay away from the evil path, so that I might keep your instructions.

Turn away from me, you evil men, so that I can observe the commands of my God.

Sustain me as you promised, so that I will live. Do not disappoint me!

Support me, so that I will be delivered. Then I will focus on your statutes continually.

I am your servant. Give me insight, so that I can understand your rules.

Deliver me from oppressive men, so that I can keep your precepts.

Your rules remain just. Give me insight so that I can live.

I cried out to you, "Deliver me, so that I can keep your rules."

My eyes anticipate the nighttime hours, so that I can meditate on your word.

I learned long ago that you ordained your rules to last.

The tribes go up there, the tribes of the Lord, where it is required that Israel give thanks to the name of the Lord.

At that time we laughed loudly and shouted for joy. At that time the nations said, "The Lord has accomplished great things for these people."

May the Lord bless you from Zion, that you might see Jerusalem prosper all the days of your life,

and that you might see your grandchildren. May Israel experience peace!

But you are willing to forgive, so that you might be honored.

A song of ascents, by David. O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor do I have a haughty look. I do not have great aspirations, or concern myself with things that are beyond me.

There I will make David strong; I have determined that my chosen king's dynasty will continue.

It is like the dew of Hermon, which flows down upon the hills of Zion. Indeed that is where the Lord has decreed a blessing will be available -- eternal life.

for there our captors ask us to compose songs; those who mock us demand that we be happy, saying: "Sing for us a song about Zion!"

I know that the Lord defends the cause of the oppressed and vindicates the poor.

Free me from prison, that I may give thanks to your name. Because of me the godly will assemble, for you will vindicate me.

O Lord, of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should be concerned about them?

People are like a vapor, their days like a shadow that disappears.

Then our sons will be like plants, that quickly grow to full size. Our daughters will be like corner pillars, carved like those in a palace.

so that mankind might acknowledge your mighty acts, and the majestic splendor of your kingdom.

Their life's breath departs, they return to the ground; on that day their plans die.

the one who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who remains forever faithful,

He sends the snow that is white like wool; he spreads the frost that is white like ashes.

He established them so they would endure; he issued a decree that will not be revoked.

O fire and hail, snow and clouds, O stormy wind that carries out his orders,

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Listen, children, to a father's instruction, and pay attention so that you may gain discernment.

he taught me, and he said to me: "Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands so that you will live.

Listen, my child, and accept my words, so that the years of your life will be many.

Make the path for your feet level, so that all your ways may be established.

in order to safeguard discretion, and that your lips may guard knowledge.

For the ways of a person are in front of the Lord's eyes, and the Lord weighs all that person's paths.

There are six things that the Lord hates, even seven things that are an abomination to him:

haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift to run to evil,

Keep my commands so that you may live, and obey my instruction as your most prized possession.

so that they may keep you from the adulterous woman, from the loose woman who flatters you with her words.

That is why I came out to meet you, to look for you, and I found you!

Suddenly he went after her like an ox that goes to the slaughter, like a stag prancing into a trapper's snare

till an arrow pierces his liver -- like a bird hurrying into a trap, and he does not know that it will cost him his life.

that I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, and that I may fill their treasuries.

when he gave the sea his decree that the waters should not pass over his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

Listen to my instruction so that you may be wise, and do not neglect it.

Abandon your foolish ways so that you may live, and proceed in the way of understanding."

But they do not realize that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

Be assured that the evil person will certainly be punished, but the descendants of the righteous will not suffer unjust judgment.

There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death.

Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree, but a perverse tongue breaks the spirit.

The person who hears the reproof that leads to life is at home among the wise.

The Lord abhors every arrogant person; rest assured that they will not go unpunished.

There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death.

A violent person entices his neighbor, and leads him down a path that is terrible.

The one who gives an answer before he listens -- that is his folly and his shame.

Listen to advice and receive discipline, that you may become wise by the end of your life.

The ear that hears and the eye that sees -- the Lord has made them both.

Do not love sleep, lest you become impoverished; open your eyes so that you might be satisfied with food.

Do not say, "I will pay back evil!" Wait for the Lord, so that he may vindicate you.

Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

So that your confidence may be in the Lord, I am making them known to you today -- even you.

to show you true and reliable words, so that you may give accurate answers to those who sent you?

Do not crave that ruler's delicacies, for that food is deceptive.

Likewise, know that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, you will have a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

I saw that thorns had grown up all over it, the ground was covered with weeds, and its stone wall was broken down.

Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, so is the one who boasts of a gift not given.

Like a city that is broken down and without a wall, so is a person who cannot control his temper.

Like legs that hang limp from the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.