Wait patiently for the Lord! Wait confidently for him! Do not fret over the apparent success of a sinner, a man who carries out wicked schemes!

In my time of trouble I sought the Lord. I kept my hand raised in prayer throughout the night. I refused to be comforted.

You visit the earth and give it rain; you make it rich and fertile with overflowing streams full of water. You provide grain for them, for you prepare the earth to yield its crops.

You ascend on high, you have taken many captives. You receive tribute from men, including even sinful rebels. Indeed the Lord God lives there!

For this reason the wicked cannot withstand judgment, nor can sinners join the assembly of the godly.

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

Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you pay no attention during times of trouble?

I have been dependent on you since birth; from the time I came out of my mother’s womb you have been my God.

The Lord sits enthroned over the engulfing waters, the Lord sits enthroned as the eternal king.

Even if he trips, he will not fall headlong, for the Lord holds his hand.

But then one passes by, and suddenly they have disappeared! I looked for them, but they could not be found.

They repay me evil for the good I have done; though I have tried to do good to them, they hurl accusations at me.

I was stone silent; I held back the urge to speak. My frustration grew;

For the music director; By David, a psalm. I relied completely on the Lord, and he turned toward me and heard my cry for help.

The Lord supports him on his sickbed; you completely heal him from his illness.

They say, ‘An awful disease overwhelms him, and now that he is bed-ridden he will never recover.’

My enemies’ taunts cut into me to the bone, as they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

As soon as they see, they are shocked; they are terrified, they quickly retreat.

Surely one sees that even wise people die; fools and spiritually insensitive people all pass away and leave their wealth to others.

The oppressed look on – let them rejoice! You who seek God, may you be encouraged!