5:28 That is how 1 they have grown fat and sleek. 2
There is no limit to the evil things they do. 3
They do not plead the cause of the fatherless in such a way as to win it.
They do not defend the rights of the poor.
12:6 But 4 the tents of robbers are peaceful,
and those who provoke God are confident 5 –
who carry their god in their hands. 6
21:7 “Why do the wicked go on living, 7
grow old, 8 even increase in power?
21:8 Their children 9 are firmly established
in their presence, 10
their offspring before their eyes.
21:9 Their houses are safe 11 and without fear; 12
and no rod of punishment 13 from God is upon them. 14
21:10 Their bulls 15 breed 16 without fail; 17
their cows calve and do not miscarry.
21:11 They allow their children to run 18 like a flock;
their little ones dance about.
21:12 They sing 19 to the accompaniment of tambourine and harp,
and make merry to the sound of the flute.
21:13 They live out 20 their years in prosperity
and go down 21 to the grave 22 in peace.
21:14 So they say to God, ‘Turn away from us!
We do not want to 23 know your ways. 24
21:15 Who is the Almighty, that 25 we should serve him?
What would we gain
if we were to pray 26 to him?’ 27
By David.
37:1 Do not fret 29 when wicked men seem to succeed! 30
Do not envy evildoers!
37:35 I have seen ruthless evil men 31
growing in influence, like a green tree grows in its native soil. 32
73:3 For I envied those who are proud,
as I observed 33 the prosperity 34 of the wicked.
73:4 For they suffer no pain; 35
their bodies 36 are strong and well-fed. 37
73:5 They are immune to the trouble common to men;
they do not suffer as other men do. 38
73:6 Arrogance is their necklace, 39
and violence their clothing. 40
73:7 Their prosperity causes them to do wrong; 41
their thoughts are sinful. 42
73:8 They mock 43 and say evil things; 44
they proudly threaten violence. 45
73:9 They speak as if they rule in heaven,
and lay claim to the earth. 46
73:10 Therefore they have more than enough food to eat,
and even suck up the water of the sea. 47
73:11 They say, “How does God know what we do?
Is the sovereign one aware of what goes on?” 48
73:12 Take a good look! This is what the wicked are like, 49
those who always have it so easy and get richer and richer. 50
73:13 I concluded, 51 “Surely in vain I have kept my motives 52 pure
and maintained a pure lifestyle. 53
73:14 I suffer all day long,
and am punished every morning.”
73:15 If I had publicized these thoughts, 54
I would have betrayed your loyal followers. 55
73:16 When I tried to make sense of this,
it was troubling to me. 56
73:17 Then I entered the precincts of God’s temple, 57
and understood the destiny of the wicked. 58
73:18 Surely 59 you put them in slippery places;
you bring them down 60 to ruin.
73:19 How desolate they become in a mere moment!
Terrifying judgments make their demise complete! 61
73:20 They are like a dream after one wakes up. 62
O Lord, when you awake 63 you will despise them. 64
73:21 Yes, 65 my spirit was bitter, 66
and my insides felt sharp pain. 67
73:22 I was ignorant 68 and lacked insight; 69
I was as senseless as an animal before you. 70
73:23 But I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
73:24 You guide 71 me by your wise advice,
and then you will lead me to a position of honor. 72
73:25 Whom do I have in heaven but you?
I desire no one but you on earth. 73
73:26 My flesh and my heart may grow weak, 74
but God always 75 protects my heart and gives me stability. 76
73:27 Yes, 77 look! Those far from you 78 die;
you destroy everyone who is unfaithful to you. 79
73:28 But as for me, God’s presence is all I need. 80
I have made the sovereign Lord my shelter,
as 81 I declare all the things you have done.
92:7 When the wicked sprout up like grass,
and all the evildoers glisten, 82
it is so that they may be annihilated. 83
94:3 O Lord, how long will the wicked,
how long will the wicked celebrate? 84
94:4 They spew out threats 85 and speak defiantly;
all the evildoers boast. 86
1:32 For the waywardness 87 of the
simpletons will kill 88 them,
and the careless ease 89 of fools will destroy them.
1:4 For this reason the law lacks power, 90
and justice is never carried out. 91
Indeed, 92 the wicked intimidate 93 the innocent. 94
For this reason justice is perverted. 95