1-2. God, God . . . my God!Why did you dump memiles from nowhere?Doubled up with pain, I call to Godall the day long. No answer. Nothing.I keep at it all night, tossing and turning.
3-5. And you! Are you indifferent, above it all,leaning back on the cushions of Israel’s praise?We know you were there for our parents:they cried for your help and you gave it;they trusted and lived a good life.
6-8. And here I am, a nothing—an earthworm,something to step on, to squash.Everyone pokes fun at me;they make faces at me, they shake their heads:“Let’s see how God handles this one;since God likes him so much, let him help him!”
9-11. And to think you were midwife at my birth,setting me at my mother’s breasts!When I left the womb you cradled me;since the moment of birth you’ve been my God.Then you moved far awayand trouble moved in next door.I need a neighbor.
12-13. Herds of bulls come at me,the raging bulls stampede,Horns lowered, nostrils flaring,like a herd of buffalo on the move.
14-15. I’m a bucket kicked over and spilled,every joint in my body has been pulled apart.My heart is a blobof melted wax in my gut.I’m dry as a bone,my tongue black and swollen.They have laid me out for burialin the dirt.
16-18. Now packs of wild dogs come at me;thugs gang up on me.They pin me down hand and foot,and lock me in a cage—a bagOf bones in a cage, stared atby every passerby.They take my wallet and the shirt off my back,and then throw dice for my clothes.
19-21. You, God—don’t put off my rescue!Hurry and help me!Don’t let them cut my throat;don’t let those mongrels devour me.If you don’t show up soon,I’m done for—gored by the bulls,meat for the lions.
22-24. Here’s the story I’ll tell my friends when they come to worship,and punctuate it with Hallelujahs:Shout Hallelujah, you God-worshipers;give glory, you sons of Jacob;adore him, you daughters of Israel.He has never let you down,never looked the other waywhen you were being kicked around.He has never wandered off to do his own thing;he has been right there, listening.
25-26. Here in this great gathering for worshipI have discovered this praise-life.And I’ll do what I promised right herein front of the God-worshipers.Down-and-outers sit at God’s tableand eat their fill.Everyone on the hunt for Godis here, praising him.“Live it up, from head to toe.Don’t ever quit!”
27-28. From the four corners of the earthpeople are coming to their senses,are running back to God.Long-lost familiesare falling on their faces before him.God has taken charge;from now on he has the last word.
29. All the power-mongers are before him—worshiping!All the poor and powerless, too—worshiping!Along with those who never got it together—worshiping!
30-31. Our children and their childrenwill get in on thisAs the word is passed alongfrom parent to child.Babies not yet conceivedwill hear the good news—that God does what he says.