How good it is to sing praises to our God,
    how pleasant^(A) and fitting to praise him!^(B)

² The Lord builds up Jerusalem;^(C)
    he gathers the exiles^(D) of Israel.
³ He heals the brokenhearted^(E)
    and binds up their wounds.^(F)
4 He determines the number of the stars^(G)
    and calls them each by name.
⁵ Great is our Lord^(H) and mighty in power;^(I)
    his understanding has no limit.^(J)
6 The Lord sustains the humble^(K)
    but casts the wicked^(L) to the ground.

⁷ Sing to the Lord^(M) with grateful praise;^(N)
    make music^(O) to our God on the harp.^(P)

⁸ He covers the sky with clouds;^(Q)
    he supplies the earth with rain^(R)
    and makes grass grow^(S) on the hills.
⁹ He provides food^(T) for the cattle
    and for the young ravens^(U) when they call.

¹⁰ His pleasure is not in the strength^(V) of the horse,^(W)
    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
¹¹ the Lord delights^(X) in those who fear him,^(Y)
    who put their hope^(Z) in his unfailing love.^(AA)

²⁰ He has done this for no other nation;^(A)
    they do not know^(B) his laws.^[a]

Praise the Lord.^(C)

² “Bear with me a little longer and I will show you
    that there is more to be said in God’s behalf.
³ I get my knowledge from afar;^(A)
    I will ascribe justice to my Maker.^(B)
4 Be assured that my words are not false;^(C)
    one who has perfect knowledge^(D) is with you.^(E)

⁵ “God is mighty,^(F) but despises no one;^(G)
    he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.^(H)
6 He does not keep the wicked alive^(I)
    but gives the afflicted their rights.^(J)
7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous;^(K)
    he enthrones them with kings^(L)
    and exalts them forever.^(M)
8 But if people are bound in chains,^(N)
    held fast by cords of affliction,^(O)
9 he tells them what they have done—
    that they have sinned arrogantly.^(P)
10 He makes them listen^(Q) to correction^(R)
    and commands them to repent of their evil.^(S)
11 If they obey and serve him,^(T)
    they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity^(U)
    and their years in contentment.^(V)
12 But if they do not listen,
    they will perish by the sword^[a](W)
    and die without knowledge.^(X)

¹³ “The godless in heart^(Y) harbor resentment;^(Z)
    even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help.^(AA)
14 They die in their youth,^(AB)
    among male prostitutes of the shrines.^(AC)
15 But those who suffer^(AD) he delivers in their suffering;^(AE)
    he speaks^(AF) to them in their affliction.^(AG)

¹⁶ “He is wooing^(AH) you from the jaws of distress
    to a spacious place^(AI) free from restriction,^(AJ)
    to the comfort of your table^(AK) laden with choice food.^(AL)
17 But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked;^(AM)
    judgment and justice have taken hold of you.^(AN)
18 Be careful that no one entices you by riches;
    do not let a large bribe^(AO) turn you aside.^(AP)
19 Would your wealth^(AQ) or even all your mighty efforts
    sustain you so you would not be in distress?
²⁰ Do not long for the night,^(AR)
    to drag people away from their homes.^[b]
21 Beware of turning to evil,^(AS)
    which you seem to prefer to affliction.^(AT)

²² “God is exalted in his power.^(AU)
    Who is a teacher like him?^(AV)
23 Who has prescribed his ways^(AW) for him,^(AX)
    or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’?^(AY)