For he says, ‘It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.’

Your wickedness affects only a person like yourself, and your righteousness only other people.

who teaches us more than the wild animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’

“Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars, and spreads its wings toward the south?

Scatter abroad the abundance of your anger. Look at every proud man and bring him low;

Look at every proud man and abase him; crush the wicked on the spot!

(Who has confronted me that I should repay? Everything under heaven belongs to me!)

Its back has rows of shields, shut up closely together as with a seal;

Whoever strikes it with a sword will have no effect, nor with the spear, arrow, or dart.

“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted;

If a person does not repent, God sharpens his sword and prepares to shoot his bow.

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

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

He is like a lion that wants to tear its prey to bits, like a young lion crouching in hidden places.

The commands to fear the Lord are right and endure forever. The judgments given by the Lord are trustworthy and absolutely just.

The Lord strengthens his people; he protects and delivers his chosen king.

The Lord’s shout bends the large trees and strips the leaves from the forests. Everyone in his temple says, “Majestic!”

Rejoice in the Lord and be happy, you who are godly! Shout for joy, all you who are morally upright!

Remain loyal to the Lord, you chosen people of his, for his loyal followers lack nothing!

O Lord, how long are you going to just stand there and watch this? Rescue me from their destructive attacks; guard my life from the young lions!