¹ I pray to you, O Lord, my rock.
    Do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you are silent,
    I might as well give up and die.
² Listen to my prayer for mercy
    as I cry out to you for help,
    as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.

³ Do not drag me away with the wicked—
    with those who do evil—
those who speak friendly words to their neighbors
    while planning evil in their hearts.
⁴ Give them the punishment they so richly deserve!
    Measure it out in proportion to their wickedness.
Pay them back for all their evil deeds!
    Give them a taste of what they have done to others.
⁵ They care nothing for what the Lord has done
    or for what his hands have made.
So he will tear them down,
    and they will never be rebuilt!

⁶ Praise the Lord!
    For he has heard my cry for mercy.
⁷ The Lord is my strength and shield.
    I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
    I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

⁸ The Lord gives his people strength.
    He is a safe fortress for his anointed king.
⁹ Save your people!
    Bless Israel, your special possession.^[a]
Lead them like a shepherd,
    and carry them in your arms forever.

28 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,
    but the godly are as bold as lions.

² When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
    But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.

³ A poor person who oppresses the poor
    is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.

⁴ To reject the law is to praise the wicked;
    to obey the law is to fight them.

⁵ Evil people don’t understand justice,
    but those who follow the Lord understand completely.

⁶ Better to be poor and honest
    than to be dishonest and rich.

⁷ Young people who obey the law are wise;
    those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.^[a]

⁸ Income from charging high interest rates
    will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

⁹ God detests the prayers
    of a person who ignores the law.

¹⁰ Those who lead good people along an evil path
    will fall into their own trap,
    but the honest will inherit good things.

¹¹ Rich people may think they are wise,
    but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.

¹² When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.
    When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

¹³ People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
    but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

¹⁴ Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,^[b]
    but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

¹⁵ A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor
    as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.

¹⁶ A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,
    but one who hates corruption will have a long life.

¹⁷ A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave.
    Don’t protect him!

¹⁸ The blameless will be rescued from harm,
    but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.

¹⁹ A hard worker has plenty of food,
    but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.

²⁰ The trustworthy person will get a rich reward,
    but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.

²¹ Showing partiality is never good,
    yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.

²² Greedy people try to get rich quick
    but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.

²³ In the end, people appreciate honest criticism
    far more than flattery.

²⁴ Anyone who steals from his father and mother
    and says, “What’s wrong with that?”
    is no better than a murderer.

²⁵ Greed causes fighting;
    trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.

²⁶ Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
    but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

²⁷ Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
    but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.

²⁸ When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
    When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.