After I had spoken, they did not respond; my words fell on them drop by drop.

I said to myself, ‘Age should speak, and length of years should make wisdom known.’

I will speak, so that I may find relief; I will open my lips, so that I may answer.

to turn a person from his sin, and to cover a person’s pride.

I have spoken once, but I cannot answer; twice, but I will say no more.”

You said, ‘Pay attention, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.’

Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’s commands; he meditates on his commands day and night.

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

I will praise the Lord who guides me; yes, during the night I reflect and learn.

Yes, they intend to do you harm; they dream up a scheme, but they do not succeed.

Let all the people of the earth acknowledge the Lord and turn to him! Let all the nations worship you!

For they do not try to make peace with others, but plan ways to deceive those who are unsuspecting.

If we had rejected our God, and spread out our hands in prayer to another god,

Listen, O princess! Observe and pay attention! Forget your homeland and your family!

I keep track of every bird in the hills, and the insects of the field are mine.

Carefully consider this, you who reject God! Otherwise I will rip you to shreds and no one will be able to rescue you.

They are like a dream after one wakes up. O Lord, when you awake you will despise them.

Remember how the enemy hurls insults, O Lord, and how a foolish nation blasphemes your name!

Remember your covenant promises, for the dark regions of the earth are full of places where violence rules.

Rise up, O God! Defend your honor! Remember how fools insult you all day long!