“To the one in despair, kindness should come from his friend even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

he wanders about – food for vultures; he knows that the day of darkness is at hand.

O God, you cause abundant showers to fall on your chosen people. When they are tired, you sustain them,

for you live among them. You sustain the oppressed with your good blessings, O God.

For Solomon. O God, grant the king the ability to make just decisions! Grant the king’s son the ability to make fair decisions!

When I tried to make sense of this, it was troubling to me.

At the sound of your battle cry, O God of Jacob, both rider and horse “fell asleep.”

Cruel rulers are not your allies, those who make oppressive laws.

Let’s enter his presence with thanksgiving! Let’s shout out to him in celebration!

hands, but cannot touch, feet, but cannot walk. They cannot even clear their throats.

Arrogant people smear my reputation with lies, but I observe your precepts with all my heart.

I realize that everything has its limits, but your commands are beyond full comprehension.

Honest scales and balances are from the Lord; all the weights in the bag are his handiwork.

The delight of kings is righteous counsel, and they love the one who speaks uprightly.

The sluggard plunges his hand in the dish, and he will not even bring it back to his mouth!

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants.

The way of the guilty person is devious, but as for the pure, his way is upright.

The one who wanders from the way of wisdom will end up in the company of the departed.

to show you true and reliable words, so that you may give accurate answers to those who sent you?

Do not lie in wait like the wicked against the place where the righteous live; do not assault his home.