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

The nations’ idols are made of silver and gold, they are man-made.

How long will you threaten a man? All of you are murderers, as dangerous as a leaning wall or an unstable fence.

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.

Why does the wicked man reject God? He says to himself, “You will not hold me accountable.”

“Look, here is the man who would not make God his protector! He trusted in his great wealth and was confident about his plans to destroy others.”

Break the arm of the wicked and evil man! Hold him accountable for his wicked deeds, which he thought you would not discover.

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!

Rise up, Lord! Confront him! Knock him down! Use your sword to rescue me from the wicked man!

Yes, the wicked man boasts because he gets what he wants; the one who robs others curses and rejects the Lord.

I was once young, now I am old. I have never seen a godly man abandoned, or his children forced to search for food.

Then you spoke through a vision to your faithful followers and said: “I have energized a warrior; I have raised up a young man from the people.

The wicked man is so arrogant he always thinks, “God won’t hold me accountable; he doesn’t care.”

For the music director; written by the Lord’s servant, David; an oracle. An evil man is rebellious to the core. He does not fear God,

The prayer of an oppressed man, as he grows faint and pours out his lament before the Lord. O Lord, hear my prayer! Pay attention to my cry for help!

For the music director; a well-written song by David. It was written when Doeg the Edomite went and informed Saul: “David has arrived at the home of Ahimelech.” Why do you boast about your evil plans, O powerful man? God’s loyal love protects me all day long!

For the music director, Jeduthun; a psalm of David. I decided, “I will watch what I say and make sure I do not sin with my tongue. I will put a muzzle over my mouth while in the presence of an evil man.”

May you give support to the one you have chosen, to the one whom you raised up for yourself!

The spiritually insensitive do not recognize this; the fool does not understand this.

Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them,