² “Who is this that obscures my plans^(C)
    with words without knowledge?^(D)
3 Brace yourself like a man;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.^(E)

⁴ “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?^(F)
    Tell me, if you understand.^(G)
5 Who marked off its dimensions?^(H) Surely you know!
    Who stretched a measuring line^(I) across it?
⁶ On what were its footings set,^(J)
    or who laid its cornerstone^(K)—
⁷ while the morning stars^(L) sang together^(M)
    and all the angels^[a](N) shouted for joy?^(O)

⁸ “Who shut up the sea behind doors^(P)
    when it burst forth from the womb,^(Q)
9 when I made the clouds its garment
    and wrapped it in thick darkness,^(R)
10 when I fixed limits for it^(S)
    and set its doors and bars in place,^(T)
11 when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;^(U)
    here is where your proud waves halt’?^(V)

¹² “Have you ever given orders to the morning,^(A)
    or shown the dawn its place,^(B)
13 that it might take the earth by the edges
    and shake the wicked^(C) out of it?^(D)
14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;^(E)
    its features stand out like those of a garment.
¹⁵ The wicked are denied their light,^(F)
    and their upraised arm is broken.^(G)

¹⁶ “Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea
    or walked in the recesses of the deep?^(A)
17 Have the gates of death^(B) been shown to you?
    Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?^(C)
18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?^(D)
    Tell me, if you know all this.^(E)

² Let the redeemed^(C) of the Lord tell their story—
    those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
³ those he gathered^(D) from the lands,
    from east and west, from north and south.^[a]

⁴ Some wandered in desert^(A) wastelands,
    finding no way to a city^(B) where they could settle.
⁵ They were hungry^(C) and thirsty,^(D)
    and their lives ebbed away.
⁶ Then they cried out^(E) to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
⁷ He led them by a straight way^(F)
    to a city^(G) where they could settle.
⁸ Let them give thanks^(H) to the Lord for his unfailing love^(I)
    and his wonderful deeds^(J) for mankind,
⁹ for he satisfies^(K) the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things.^(L)

¹⁰ Some sat in darkness,^(M) in utter darkness,
    prisoners suffering^(N) in iron chains,^(O)
11 because they rebelled^(P) against God’s commands
    and despised^(Q) the plans^(R) of the Most High.
¹² So he subjected them to bitter labor;
    they stumbled, and there was no one to help.^(S)
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he saved them^(T) from their distress.
¹⁴ He brought them out of darkness,^(U) the utter darkness,^(V)
    and broke away their chains.^(W)
15 Let them give thanks^(X) to the Lord for his unfailing love^(Y)
    and his wonderful deeds^(Z) for mankind,
¹⁶ for he breaks down gates of bronze
    and cuts through bars of iron.

¹⁷ Some became fools^(AA) through their rebellious ways^(AB)
    and suffered affliction^(AC) because of their iniquities.
¹⁸ They loathed all food^(AD)
    and drew near the gates of death.^(AE)
19 Then they cried^(AF) to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he saved them^(AG) from their distress.
²⁰ He sent out his word^(AH) and healed them;^(AI)
    he rescued^(AJ) them from the grave.^(AK)
21 Let them give thanks^(AL) to the Lord for his unfailing love^(AM)
    and his wonderful deeds^(AN) for mankind.
²² Let them sacrifice thank offerings^(AO)
    and tell of his works^(AP) with songs of joy.^(AQ)

²³ Some went out on the sea^(A) in ships;^(B)
    they were merchants on the mighty waters.
²⁴ They saw the works of the Lord,^(C)
    his wonderful deeds in the deep.
²⁵ For he spoke^(D) and stirred up a tempest^(E)
    that lifted high the waves.^(F)
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
    in their peril^(G) their courage melted^(H) away.
²⁷ They reeled^(I) and staggered like drunkards;
    they were at their wits’ end.
²⁸ Then they cried^(J) out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he brought them out of their distress.^(K)
29 He stilled the storm^(L) to a whisper;
    the waves^(M) of the sea^[a] were hushed.^(N)
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
    and he guided them^(O) to their desired haven.
³¹ Let them give thanks^(P) to the Lord for his unfailing love^(Q)
    and his wonderful deeds^(R) for mankind.
³² Let them exalt^(S) him in the assembly^(T) of the people
    and praise him in the council of the elders.