But you, O God, will bring them down to the deep Pit. Violent and deceitful people will not live even half a normal lifespan. But as for me, I trust in you.

For look, they wait to ambush me; powerful men stalk me, but not because I have rebelled or sinned, O Lord.

Those who hate me without cause are more numerous than the hairs of my head. Those who want to destroy me, my enemies for no reason, outnumber me. They make me repay what I did not steal!

Then they will not be like their ancestors, who were a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that was not committed and faithful to God.

For the Lord God is our sovereign protector. The Lord bestows favor and honor; he withholds no good thing from those who have integrity.

adrift among the dead, like corpses lying in the grave, whom you remember no more, and who are cut off from your power.

For forty years I was continually disgusted with that generation, and I said, ‘These people desire to go astray; they do not obey my commands.’

For he never bothered to show kindness; he harassed the oppressed and needy, and killed the disheartened.

How blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! They will not be put to shame when they confront enemies at the city gate.

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.