Take note, O Lord, of the way your servants are taunted, and of how I must bear so many insults from people!

I say this about the Lord, my shelter and my stronghold, my God in whom I trust –

You exalt my horn like that of a wild ox. I am covered with fresh oil.

For justice will prevail, and all the morally upright will be vindicated.

Come! Let’s bow down and worship! Let’s kneel before the Lord, our creator!

So I made a vow in my anger, ‘They will never enter into the resting place I had set aside for them.’”

Dark clouds surround him; equity and justice are the foundation of his throne.

O Lord our God, you answered them. They found you to be a forgiving God, but also one who punished their sinful deeds.

In earlier times you established the earth; the skies are your handiwork.

A person’s life is like grass. Like a flower in the field it flourishes,

You make it dark and night comes, during which all the beasts of the forest prowl around.

He always remembers his covenantal decree, the promise he made to a thousand generations –

They made the Lord angry by their actions, and a plague broke out among them.

Many times he delivered them, but they had a rebellious attitude, and degraded themselves by their sin.

He made cursing a way of life, so curses poured into his stomach like water and seeped into his bones like oil.

They curse, but you will bless. When they attack, they will be humiliated, but your servant will rejoice.

He gives food to his faithful followers; he always remembers his covenant.

He does not fear bad news. He is confident; he trusts in the Lord.

O family of Aaron, trust in the Lord! He is their deliverer and protector.

You loyal followers of the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their deliverer and protector.