Boast about his holy name! Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

“What is mankind that you make so much of them, and that you pay attention to them?

Will they not instruct you and speak to you, and bring forth words from their understanding?

“As for you, if you prove faithful, and if you stretch out your hands toward him,

Because you have closed their minds to understanding, therefore you will not exalt them.

the blessing of the dying man descended on me, and I made the widow’s heart rejoice;

My words come from the uprightness of my heart, and my lips will utter knowledge sincerely.

If God were to set his heart on it, and gather in his spirit and his breath,

Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people, he is mighty, and firm in his intent.

The godless at heart nourish anger, they do not cry out even when he binds them.

Therefore people fear him, for he does not regard all the wise in heart.”

Its heart is hard as rock, hard as a lower millstone.

You make me happier than those who have abundant grain and wine.

The Exalted God is my shield, the one who delivers the morally upright.

Lord, you have heard the request of the oppressed; you make them feel secure because you listen to their prayer.

But I trust in your faithfulness. May I rejoice because of your deliverance!

I am forgotten, like a dead man no one thinks about; I am regarded as worthless, like a broken jar.

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

The Lord’s decisions stand forever; his plans abide throughout the ages.

He is the one who forms every human heart, and takes note of all their actions.