<p class="poetry">As a father has compassion on his children,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">so the <sc>Lordsc> has compassion on his faithful followers.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">He makes the barren woman of the family<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">a happy mother of children.<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">Praise the <sc>Lordsc>!p>

<p class="poetry">The heavens belong to the <sc>Lordsc>,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">but the earth he has given to mankind.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">Yes,<n id="1" /> sons<n id="2" /> are a gift from the <sc>Lordsc>,p> <p class="poetry">the fruit of the womb is a reward.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">so that mankind<n id="1" /> might acknowledge your mighty acts,p> <p class="poetry">and the majestic splendor of your kingdom.p>

<p class="poetry">Do not trust in princes,p> <p class="poetry">or in human beings, who cannot deliver!<n id="1" />p>

<p class="poetry">He gives food to the animals,p> <p class="poetry">and to the young ravens when they chirp.<n id="1" />p>

<p class="poetry">For he makes the bars of your gates strong.p> <p class="poetry">He blesses your children<n id="1" /> within you.p>

<p class="poetry">Let Israel rejoice in their Creator!p> <p class="poetry">Let the people<n id="1" /> of Zion delight in their king!<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">The king says,<n id="1" /> &#8220;I will announce the <sc>Lord&#8217;ssc> decree. He said to me:<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8216;You are my son!<n id="3" /> This very day I have become your father!p>

<p class="poetry">You men,<n id="1" /> how long will you try to turn my honor into shame?<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">How long<n id="3" /> will you love what is worthless<n id="4" />p> <p class="poetry">and search for what is deceptive?<n id="5" /> (Selah)p>

<p class="poetry">Of what importance is the human race,<n id="1" /> that you should notice<n id="2" /> them?p> <p class="poetry">Of what importance is mankind,<n id="3" /> that you should pay attention to them,<n id="4" />p>

<p class="poetry">The <sc>Lordsc> is in his holy temple;<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s throne is in heaven.<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">His eyes<n id="3" /> watch;<n id="4" />p> <p class="poetry">his eyes<n id="5" /> examine<n id="6" /> all people.<n id="7" />p>

<p class="poetry">The <sc>Lordsc> looks down from heaven<n id="1" /> at the human race,<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">to see if there is anyone who is wise<n id="3" /> and seeks God.<n id="4" />p>

<p class="poetry">When they hear of my exploits, they submit to me.<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">Foreigners are powerless<n id="2" /> before me;p>

<t /><p class="psasuper">A psalm of David.p> <p class="poetry">Acknowledge the <sc>Lordsc>, you heavenly beings,<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">acknowledge the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s majesty and power!<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">How precious<n id="1" /> is your loyal love, O God!p> <p class="poetry">The human race finds shelter under your wings.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">You are the most handsome of all men!<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">You speak in an impressive and fitting manner!<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">For this reason<n id="3" /> God grants you continual blessings.<n id="4" />p>

<p class="poetry">Your<n id="1" /> sons will carry<n id="2" /> on the dynasty of your ancestors;<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">you will make them princes throughout the land.p>