<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">The commands to fear the <sc>Lordsc> are right<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">and endure forever.<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">The judgments given by the <sc>Lordsc> are trustworthyp> <p class="poetry">and absolutely just.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">Your justice is like the highest mountains,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">your fairness like the deepest sea;p> <p class="poetry">you preserve<n id="2" /> mankind and the animal kingdom.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">Mount Zion rejoices;p> <p class="poetry">the towns<n id="1" /> of Judah are happy,<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">because of your acts of judgment.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">when God arose to execute judgment,p> <p class="poetry">and to deliver all the oppressed of the earth. (Selah)p>

<p class="poetry">Equity and justice are the foundation of your throne.<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">Loyal love and faithfulness characterize your rule.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">For justice will prevail,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">and all the morally upright<n id="2" /> will be vindicated.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">Zion hears and rejoices,p> <p class="poetry">the towns<n id="1" /> of Judah are happy,p> <p class="poetry">because of your judgments, O <sc>Lordsc>.p>

<p class="poetry">Do not completely deprive me of a truthful testimony,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">for I await your justice.p>

<p class="poetry">I know<n id="1" /> that the <sc>Lordsc> defends the cause of the oppressedp> <p class="poetry">and vindicates the poor.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">Do not sit in judgment on<n id="1" /> your servant,p> <p class="poetry">for no one alive is innocent before you.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">vindicates the oppressed,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">and gives food to the hungry.p> <p class="poetry">The <sc>Lordsc> releases the imprisoned.p>

<p class="poetry">He has not done so with any other nation;p> <p class="poetry">they are not aware of his regulations.p> <p class="poetry">Praise the <sc>Lordsc>!p>

<p class="poetry">and execute the judgment to which their enemies<n id="1" /> have been sentenced.<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">All his loyal followers will be vindicated.<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">Praise the <sc>Lordsc>!p>

<p class="poetry">Evil people<n id="1" /> do not understand justice,<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">but those who seek the <sc>Lordsc><n id="3" /> understand it all.p>

<t /><p class="poetry">I saw something else on earth:<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">In the place of justice, there was wickedness,p> <p class="poetry">and in the place of fairness,<n id="2" /> there was wickedness.p>

<p class="poetry">Whoever obeys his<n id="1" /> command will not experience harm,p> <p class="poetry">and a wise person<n id="2" /> knows the proper time<n id="3" /> and procedure.p>

<p class="poetry">For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,p> <p class="poetry">for the oppression<n id="1" /> of the king<n id="2" /> is severe upon his victim.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">Learn to do what is right!p> <p class="poetry">Promote justice!p> <p class="poetry">Give the oppressed reason to celebrate!<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">Take up the cause of the orphan!p> <p class="poetry">Defend the rights of the widow!<n id="2" />p>

<t /><p class="poetry">How tragic that the once-faithful cityp> <p class="poetry">has become a prostitute!<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">She was once a center of<n id="2" /> justice,p> <p class="poetry">fairness resided in her,p> <p class="poetry">but now only murderers.<n id="3" />p>