¹⁷ Lord, don’t terrorize me!
    You alone are my hope in the day of disaster.

⁷ The Lord is good,
    a strong refuge when trouble comes.
    He is close to those who trust in him.

¹⁶ But as for me, I will sing about your power.
    Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.
For you have been my refuge,
    a place of safety when I am in distress.

¹⁵ I have been sick and close to death since my youth.
    I stand helpless and desperate before your terrors.
¹⁶ Your fierce anger has overwhelmed me.
    Your terrors have paralyzed me.

²³ That would be better than facing God’s judgment.
    For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there?

⁷ “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
    and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

² When I was in deep trouble,
    I searched for the Lord.
All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven,
    but my soul was not comforted.
³ I think of God, and I moan,
    overwhelmed with longing for his help. Interlude

⁴ You don’t let me sleep.
    I am too distressed even to pray!
⁵ I think of the good old days,
    long since ended,
⁶ when my nights were filled with joyful songs.
    I search my soul and ponder the difference now.
⁷ Has the Lord rejected me forever?
    Will he never again be kind to me?
⁸ Is his unfailing love gone forever?
    Have his promises permanently failed?
⁹ Has God forgotten to be gracious?
    Has he slammed the door on his compassion? Interlude

¹ Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!
    The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.