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]

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.

²¹ “People listened to me expectantly,
    waiting in silence for my counsel.^(A)
22 After I had spoken, they spoke no more;^(B)
    my words fell gently on their ears.^(C)
23 They waited for me as for showers
    and drank in my words as the spring rain.^(D)
24 When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it;
    the light of my face^(E) was precious to them.^[a](F)
25 I chose the way for them and sat as their chief;^(G)
    I dwelt as a king^(H) among his troops;
    I was like one who comforts mourners.^(I)

30 “But now they mock me,^(J)
    men younger than I,
whose fathers I would have disdained
    to put with my sheep dogs.^(K)
2 Of what use was the strength of their hands to me,
    since their vigor had gone from them?
³ Haggard from want and hunger,
    they roamed^[b] the parched land^(L)
    in desolate wastelands^(M) at night.^(N)
4 In the brush they gathered salt herbs,^(O)
    and their food^[c] was the root of the broom bush.^(P)
5 They were banished from human society,
    shouted at as if they were thieves.
⁶ They were forced to live in the dry stream beds,
    among the rocks and in holes in the ground.^(Q)
7 They brayed^(R) among the bushes^(S)
    and huddled in the undergrowth.
⁸ A base and nameless brood,^(T)
    they were driven out of the land.^(U)

⁹ “And now those young men mock me^(V) in song;^(W)
    I have become a byword^(X) among them.
¹⁰ They detest me^(Y) and keep their distance;
    they do not hesitate to spit in my face.^(Z)
11 Now that God has unstrung my bow^(AA) and afflicted me,^(AB)
    they throw off restraint^(AC) in my presence.
¹² On my right^(AD) the tribe^[d] attacks;
    they lay snares^(AE) for my feet,^(AF)
    they build their siege ramps against me.^(AG)
13 They break up my road;^(AH)
    they succeed in destroying me.^(AI)
    ‘No one can help him,’ they say.
¹⁴ They advance as through a gaping breach;^(AJ)
    amid the ruins they come rolling in.
¹⁵ Terrors^(AK) overwhelm me;^(AL)
    my dignity is driven away as by the wind,
    my safety vanishes like a cloud.^(AM)