I mourned for them as I would for a friend or my brother. I bowed down in sorrow as if I were mourning for my mother.

Turn your angry gaze away from me, so I can be happy before I pass away.

They did not keep their covenant with God, and they refused to obey his law.

He remembered that they were made of flesh, and were like a wind that blows past and does not return.

If only my people would obey me! If only Israel would keep my commands!

Deliverance goes before him, and prepares a pathway for him.

If his sons reject my law and disobey my regulations,

The ships travel there, and over here swims the whale you made to play in it.

they wandered from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another.

He opened up a rock and water flowed out; a river ran through dry regions.

He shouted at the Red Sea and it dried up; he led them through the deep water as if it were a desert.

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

A song of ascents. How blessed is every one of the Lord’s loyal followers, each one who keeps his commands!

By David. Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have integrity, and I trust in the Lord without wavering.

I am dazed and completely humiliated; all day long I walk around mourning.

I will pray to God, my high ridge: “Why do you ignore me? Why must I walk around mourning because my enemies oppress me?”

For you are the God who shelters me. Why do you reject me? Why must I walk around mourning because my enemies oppress me?

Come! Witness the exploits of the Lord, who brings devastation to the earth!

We would share personal thoughts with each other; in God’s temple we would walk together among the crowd.

Let them disappear like water that flows away! Let them wither like grass!