⁸ “But if I were you, I would appeal to God;
    I would lay my cause before him.^(A)
9 He performs wonders^(B) that cannot be fathomed,^(C)
    miracles that cannot be counted.^(D)
10 He provides rain for the earth;^(E)
    he sends water on the countryside.^(F)
11 The lowly he sets on high,^(G)
    and those who mourn^(H) are lifted^(I) to safety.
¹² He thwarts the plans^(J) of the crafty,
    so that their hands achieve no success.^(K)
13 He catches the wise^(L) in their craftiness,^(M)
    and the schemes of the wily are swept away.^(N)
14 Darkness^(O) comes upon them in the daytime;
    at noon they grope as in the night.^(P)
15 He saves the needy^(Q) from the sword in their mouth;
    he saves them from the clutches of the powerful.^(R)
16 So the poor^(S) have hope,
    and injustice shuts its mouth.^(T)

¹⁷ “Blessed is the one whom God corrects;^(U)
    so do not despise the discipline^(V) of the Almighty.^[a](W)
18 For he wounds, but he also binds up;^(X)
    he injures, but his hands also heal.^(Y)
19 From six calamities he will rescue^(Z) you;
    in seven no harm will touch you.^(AA)
20 In famine^(AB) he will deliver you from death,
    and in battle from the stroke of the sword.^(AC)
21 You will be protected from the lash of the tongue,^(AD)
    and need not fear^(AE) when destruction comes.^(AF)
22 You will laugh^(AG) at destruction and famine,^(AH)
    and need not fear the wild animals.^(AI)
23 For you will have a covenant^(AJ) with the stones^(AK) of the field,
    and the wild animals will be at peace with you.^(AL)
24 You will know that your tent is secure;^(AM)
    you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing.^(AN)
25 You will know that your children will be many,^(AO)
    and your descendants like the grass of the earth.^(AP)
26 You will come to the grave in full vigor,^(AQ)
    like sheaves gathered in season.^(AR)

²⁷ “We have examined this, and it is true.
    So hear it^(AS) and apply it to yourself.”^(AT)

“Whoever would love life
    and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
    and their lips from deceitful speech.
¹¹ They must turn from evil and do good;
    they must seek peace and pursue it.
¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”^[a](J)

³ I remembered^(F) you, God, and I groaned;^(G)
    I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.^[b](H)
4 You kept my eyes from closing;
    I was too troubled to speak.^(I)
5 I thought about the former days,^(J)
    the years of long ago;
⁶ I remembered my songs in the night.
    My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

⁷ “Will the Lord reject forever?^(K)
    Will he never show his favor^(L) again?
⁸ Has his unfailing love^(M) vanished forever?
    Has his promise^(N) failed for all time?
⁹ Has God forgotten to be merciful?^(O)
    Has he in anger withheld his compassion?^(P)”

¹⁰ Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
    the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.^(Q)
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your miracles^(R) of long ago.
¹² I will consider^(S) all your works
    and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”^(T)

¹³ Your ways, God, are holy.
    What god is as great as our God?^(U)
14 You are the God who performs miracles;^(V)
    you display your power among the peoples.
¹⁵ With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,^(W)
    the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

¹⁶ The waters^(X) saw you, God,
    the waters saw you and writhed;^(Y)
    the very depths were convulsed.
¹⁷ The clouds poured down water,^(Z)
    the heavens resounded with thunder;^(AA)
    your arrows^(AB) flashed back and forth.
¹⁸ Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,^(AC)
    your lightning^(AD) lit up the world;
    the earth trembled and quaked.^(AE)
19 Your path^(AF) led through the sea,^(AG)
    your way through the mighty waters,
    though your footprints were not seen.

²⁰ You led your people^(AH) like a flock^(AI)
    by the hand of Moses and Aaron.^(AJ)