<p class="poetry">&#8220;Since my youth they have often attacked me,p> <p class="poetry">but they have not defeated me.p>

<p class="poetry">Your knowledge is beyond my comprehension;p> <p class="poetry">it is so far beyond me, I am unable to fathom it.<n id="1" />p>

<p class="poetry">He established them so they would endure;<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">he issued a decree that will not be revoked.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">Not so with the wicked!p> <p class="poetry">Instead<n id="1" /> they are like wind-driven chaff.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">For this reason<n id="1" /> the wicked cannot withstand<n id="2" /> judgment,<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">nor can sinners join the assembly of the godly.<n id="4" />p>

<p class="poetry">I am not afraid<n id="1" /> of the multitude of people<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">who attack me from all directions.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">Arrogant people cannot stand in your presence;<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">you hate<n id="2" /> all who behave wickedly.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">If a person<n id="1" /> does not repent, God sharpens his sword<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">and prepares to shoot his bow.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">Your loyal followers trust in you,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">for you, <sc>Lordsc>, do not abandon those who seek your help.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">For the one who takes revenge against murderers took notice of the oppressed;<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">he did not overlook<n id="2" /> their cry for help<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">for the needy are not permanently ignored,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">the hopes of the oppressed are not forever dashed.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">He says to himself,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;I will never<n id="2" /> be upended,p> <p class="poetry">because I experience no calamity.&#8221;<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">Why does the wicked man reject God?<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">He says to himself,<n id="2" /> &#8220;You<n id="3" /> will not hold me accountable.&#8221;<n id="4" />p>

<p class="poetry">He despises a reprobate,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">but honors the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s loyal followers.<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">He makes firm commitments and does not renege on his promise.<n id="3" />p>

<t /><p class="psasuper">A prayer of David.p> <p class="poetry"><sc>Lordsc>, consider my just cause!<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">Pay attention to my cry for help!p> <p class="poetry">Listen to the prayerp> <p class="poetry">I sincerely offer!<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">For I am aware of all his regulations,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">and I do not reject his rules.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">You rescue me from a hostile army;<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">you make me<n id="2" /> a leader of nations;p> <p class="poetry">people over whom I had no authority are now my subjects.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">But I<n id="1" /> am a worm,<n id="2" /> not a man;<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">people insult me and despise me.<n id="4" />p>

<t /><p class="psasuper">By David.p> <p class="poetry">Vindicate me, O <sc>Lordsc>,p> <p class="poetry">for I have integrity,<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">and I trust in the <sc>Lordsc> without wavering.p>

<p class="poetry">So now<n id="1" /> my heart<n id="2" /> will sing to you and not be silent;p> <p class="poetry">O <sc>Lordsc> my God, I will always<n id="3" /> give thanks to you.p>