The Lord grants success to the one whose behavior he finds commendable.

Our God is in heaven! He does whatever he pleases!

Guide me in the path of your commands, for I delight to walk in it.

He brought me out into a wide open place; he delivered me because he was pleased with me.

I want to do what pleases you, my God. Your law dominates my thoughts.”

Look, you desire integrity in the inner man; you want me to possess wisdom.

Whom do I have in heaven but you? I desire no one but you on earth.

He loved to curse others, so those curses have come upon him. He had no desire to bless anyone, so he has experienced no blessings.

He is not enamored with the strength of a horse, nor is he impressed by the warrior’s strong legs.

They say, “Commit yourself to the Lord! Let the Lord rescue him! Let the Lord deliver him, for he delights in him.”

Receiving sacrifices and offerings are not your primary concern. You make that quite clear to me! You do not ask for burnt sacrifices and sin offerings.

By this I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.

Certainly you do not want a sacrifice, or else I would offer it; you do not desire a burnt sacrifice.

Then you will accept the proper sacrifices, burnt sacrifices and whole offerings; then bulls will be sacrificed on your altar.

Praise the Lord! How blessed is the one who obeys the Lord, who takes great delight in keeping his commands.

He does whatever he pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the ocean depths.

Sound your battle cry against the wild beast of the reeds, and the nations that assemble like a herd of calves led by bulls! They humble themselves and offer gold and silver as tribute. God scatters the nations that like to do battle.