<p class="poetry">When I tried to make sense of this,p> <p class="poetry">it was troubling to me.<n id="1" />p>

<p class="poetry">I thought about the days of old,p> <p class="poetry">about ancient times.<n id="1" />p>

<p class="poetry">I consider my actions<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">and follow<n id="2" /> your rules.p>

<p class="poetry">The wicked arrogantly chase the oppressed;<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">the oppressed are trapped<n id="2" /> by the schemes the wicked have dreamed up.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">Your tongue carries out your destructive plans;<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">it is as effective as a sharp razor, O deceiver.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">This brought him a reward,p> <p class="poetry">an eternal gift.<n id="1" />p>

<p class="poetry">O <sc>Lordsc>, of what importance is the human race,<n id="1" /> that you should notice them?p> <p class="poetry">Of what importance is mankind,<n id="2" /> that you should be concerned about them?<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">Yes,<n id="1" /> they intend to do you harm;<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">they dream up a scheme,<n id="3" /> but they do not succeed.<n id="4" />p>

<p class="poetry">How blessed is the one<n id="1" /> whose wrongdoing the <sc>Lordsc> does not punish,<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">in whose spirit there is no deceit.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">May those who seek my life be embarrassed and humiliated!p> <p class="poetry">May those who plan to harm me be turned back and ashamed!<n id="1" />p>

<p class="poetry">For they do not try to make peace with others,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">but plan ways to deceive those who are unsuspecting.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">All who hate me whisper insults about me to one another;<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">they plan ways to harm me.p>

<p class="poetry">Yet because of you<n id="1" /> we are killed all day long;p> <p class="poetry">we are treated like<n id="2" /> sheep at the slaughtering block.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">They treat me like<n id="1" /> those who descend into the grave.<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">I am like a helpless man,<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">who plan ways to harm me.<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">All day long they stir up conflict.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">O <sc>Lordsc>, shelter me from the power<n id="1" /> of the wicked!p> <p class="poetry">Protect me from violent men,p> <p class="poetry">who plan to knock me over.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">He plans ways to sin while he lies in bed;p> <p class="poetry">he is committed to a sinful lifestyle;<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">he does not reject what is evil.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">I am oppressed and needy!<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">May the Lord pay attention to me!<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">You are my helper and my deliverer!p> <p class="poetry">O my God, do not delay!p>