Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.

"Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, 'My righteousness is more than God's,'

That you ask, 'What advantage will it be to you? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?'

"By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.

But if they do not listen, they shall perish by the sword; they shall die without knowledge.

He delivers the afflicted by their affliction, and opens their ear in oppression.

Yes, he would have allured you out of distress, into a broad place, where there is no restriction. That which is set on your table would be full of fatness.

For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance.

By the breath of God, ice is given, and the breadth of the waters is frozen.

It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them on the surface of the habitable world,

You whose clothing is warm, when the earth is still by reason of the south wind?

Teach us what we shall tell him, for we can't make our case by reason of darkness.

Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?

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

and said, 'Here you may come, but no further. Here your proud waves shall be stayed?'

By what way is the lightning distributed, or the east wind scattered on the earth?

Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of the sky,

They bow themselves, they bring forth their young, they end their labor pains.

"Will the wild ox be content to serve you? Or will he stay by your feeding trough?

"Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and stretches her wings toward the south?

Will you even annul my judgment? Will you condemn me, that you may be justified?

Behold, the hope of him is in vain. Won't one be cast down even at the sight of him?

They are joined one to another. They stick together, so that they can't be pulled apart.

The flakes of his flesh are joined together. They are firm on him. They can't be moved.

"I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be restrained.

I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you.

He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.

Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.

I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who have set themselves against me on every side.

Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing be on your people. Selah.

You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah.

When agitated, do not sin. Search your own heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.

But as for me, in the abundance of your loving kindness I will come into your house. I will bow toward your holy temple in reverence of you.

Hold them guilty, God. Let them fall by their own counsels; Thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions, for they have rebelled against you.

But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice, Let them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Let them also who love your name be joyful in you.

May all my enemies be ashamed and dismayed. They shall turn back, they shall be disgraced suddenly.

Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; their minds and hearts are searched by the righteous God.

If a man doesn't relent, he will sharpen his sword; he has bent and strung his bow.

I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

The enemy is overtaken by endless ruin. The very memory of the cities which you have overthrown has perished.

The LORD will also be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

Have mercy on me, LORD. See my affliction by those who hate me, and lift me up from the gates of death;

The LORD has made himself known. He has executed judgment. The wicked is snared by the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah.

The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God.

For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever.

Arise, LORD. Do not let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in your sight.

He says in his heart, "I shall not be shaken. For generations I shall have no trouble."

On the wicked he will rain blazing coals; fire, sulfur, and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion. When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

he who doesn't lend out his money for usury, nor take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be shaken.

Their sorrows shall be multiplied who give gifts to another god. Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take their names on my lips.

I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

As for the works of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.

Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.

Arise, LORD, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword;

from men by your hand, LORD, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.

As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.

I call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; and I am saved from my enemies.

Smoke went out of his nostrils. Consuming fire came out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it.

For by you, I advance through a troop. By my God, I leap over a wall.

He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.

I will strike them through, so that they will not be able to rise. They shall fall under my feet.

The LORD lives; and blessed be my rock. Exalted be the God of my salvation,

More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward.

Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, LORD, my Rock, and my redeemer.

For the king trusts in the LORD. Through the loving kindness of the Most High, he shall not be moved.

Be exalted, LORD, in your strength, so we will sing and praise your power.

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people.

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near. For there is none to help.

But do not be far off, LORD. You are my help: hurry to help me.

Of you comes my praise in the great assembly. I will pay my vows before those who fear him.

The humble shall eat and be satisfied. They shall praise the LORD who seek after him. Let your hearts live forever.

All the rich ones of the earth shall eat and worship. All those who go down to the dust shall bow before him, even he who can't keep his soul alive.

Posterity shall serve him. Future generations shall be told about the Lord.

They shall come and shall declare his righteousness to a people that shall be born, for he has done it.

Lift up your heads, you gates. Be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in.

My God, I have trusted in you. Do not let me be shamed. Do not let my enemies triumph over me.

Yes, no one who waits for you shall be shamed. They shall be shamed who deal treacherously without cause.

Oh keep my soul, and deliver me. Let me not be disappointed, for I take refuge in you.

that I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard, and tell of all your wondrous works.

But as for me, I will walk in my integrity. Redeem me, and be merciful to me.

The LORD is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?

Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, even then I will be confident.

Now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me. I will offer sacrifices of joy in his tent. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

Wait for the LORD. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the LORD.

To you, LORD, I call. My rock, do not be deaf to me; lest, if you are silent to me, I would become like those who go down into the pit.

Blessed be the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my petitions.

Save your people, and bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever.

As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved."

Hear, LORD, and have mercy on me. LORD, be my helper."

To the end that my heart may sing praise to you, and not be silent. LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

In you, LORD, I take refuge. Let me never be disappointed. Deliver me in your righteousness.

Bow down your ear to me. Deliver me speedily. Be to me a strong rock, a house of defense to save me.

I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities.

Let me not be disappointed, LORD, for I have called on you. Let the wicked be disappointed. Let them be silent in Sheol.

Let the lying lips be mute, which speak against the righteous insolently, with pride and contempt.

Praise be to the LORD, for he has shown me his marvelous loving kindness in a strong city.