Study Desk

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and false words: under his tongue are evil purposes and dark thoughts.

He is waiting in the dark places of the towns: in the secret places he puts to death those who have done no wrong: his eyes are secretly turned against the poor.

He keeps himself in a secret place like a lion in his hole, waiting to put his hands on the poor man, and pulling him into his net.

The upright are crushed and made low, and the feeble are overcome by his strong ones.

He says in his heart, God has no memory of me: his face is turned away; he will never see it.

Why has the evil-doer a low opinion of God, saying in his heart, You will not make search for it?

You have seen it; for your eyes are on sorrow and grief, to take it into your hand: the poor man puts his faith in you; you have been the helper of the child who has no father.

Let the arm of the sinner and the evil-doer be broken; go on searching for his sin till there is no more.

The Lord is King for ever and ever; the nations are gone from his land.

The Lord is in his holy Temple, the Lord's seat is in heaven; his eyes are watching and testing the children of men.

The Lord puts the upright and the sinner to the test, but he has hate in his soul for the lover of violent acts.

For the Lord is upright; he is a lover of righteousness: the upright will see his face.

Everyone says false words to his neighbour: their tongues are smooth in their talk, and their hearts are full of deceit.

Because of the crushing of the poor and the weeping of those in need, now will I come to his help, says the Lord; I will give him the salvation which he is desiring.

The foolish man has said in his heart, God will not do anything. They are unclean, they have done evil works; there is not one who does good.

You have put to shame the thoughts of the poor, but the Lord is his support.

May the salvation of Israel come out of Zion! when the fate of his people is changed by the Lord, Jacob will have joy and Israel will be glad.

He who goes on his way uprightly, doing righteousness, and saying what is true in his heart;

Whose tongue is not false, who does no evil to his friend, and does not take away the good name of his neighbour;

He who does not put out his money at interest, or for payment give false decisions against men who have done no wrong. He who does these things will never be moved.