39 Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled

by oppression, calamity and sorrow;

40 he who pours contempt on nobles

made them wander in a trackless waste.

41 But he lifted the needy out of their affliction

and increased their families like flocks.

42 The upright see and rejoice,

but all the wicked shut their mouths.

39 When they are diminished and brought low

through oppression, evil, and sorrow,

40 he pours contempt on princes

and makes them wander in trackless wastes;

41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction

and makes their families like flocks.

42 The upright see it and are glad,

and all wickedness shuts its mouth.

39 When they decrease in number and become impoverished

through oppression, trouble, and sorrow,

40 the Lord pours contempt on their princes,

causing them to wander in trackless wastelands.

41 But he rescues the poor from trouble

and increases their families like flocks of sheep.

42 The godly will see these things and be glad,

while the wicked are struck silent.

39 When they are diminished and brought low

Through oppression, affliction and sorrow,

40 He pours contempt on princes,

And causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way;

41 Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction,

And makes their families like a flock.

42 The righteous see it and rejoice,

And all iniquity stops its mouth.

39 Because of disaster, troubles, and sadness,

their families grew smaller and weaker.

40 He showed he was displeased with their leaders

and made them wander in a pathless desert.

41 But he lifted the poor out of their suffering

and made their families grow like flocks of sheep.

42 Good people see this and are happy,

but the wicked say nothing.

39 Again, they are diminished and bowed down

Through oppression, trouble, and sorrow.

40 He poureth contempt upon princes,

And causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way.

41 Yet setteth he the needy on high from affliction,

And maketh him families like a flock.

42 The upright shall see it, and be glad;

And all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

39 And they are diminished and brought low, through oppression, adversity, and sorrow: 40 He poureth contempt upon nobles, and causeth them to wander in a pathless waste; 41 But he secureth the needy one on high from affliction, and maketh him families like flocks. 42 The upright shall see it, and rejoice; and all unrighteousness shall stop its mouth.

39 They became few in number and were humiliated 

because of oppression, disaster, and sorrow. 

40 He poured contempt on their influential people 

and made them stumble around in a pathless desert. 

41 But now he lifts needy people high above suffering 

and makes their families like flocks. 

42 Decent people will see this and rejoice, 

but all the wicked people will shut their mouths. 

39 When they are diminished and are humbled

by cruel oppression and sorrow,

40 He pours contempt on nobles

and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

41 But He lifts the needy out of their suffering

and makes their families multiply like flocks.

42 The upright see it and rejoice,

and all injustice shuts its mouth.

39 When they are diminished and brought low

through oppression, trouble, and sorrow,

40 he pours contempt on princes

and makes them wander in trackless wastes;

41 but he raises up the needy out of distress,

and makes their families like flocks.

42 The upright see it and are glad;

and all wickedness stops its mouth.

39 When they become few and they are bent down

from the oppression of calamity and grief,

40 he pours contempt on princes

and causes them to wander in a trackless waste.

41 But he protects the needy from misery,

and he makes their families like a flock.

42 The upright see it and are glad,

and all wickedness shuts its mouth.

39 Then the number of God’s people got smaller.

They were brought low by trouble, suffering and sorrow.

40 The One who looks down on proud nobles

made them wander in a desert where no one lives.

41 But he lifted needy people out of their suffering.

He made their families increase like flocks of sheep.

42 Honest people see it and are filled with joy.

But no one who is evil has anything to say.

39 When they are diminished and bowed down

Through oppression, misery and sorrow,

40 He pours contempt upon princes

And makes them wander in a pathless waste.

41 But He sets the needy securely on high away from affliction,

And makes his families like a flock.

42 The upright see it and are glad;

But all unrighteousness shuts its mouth.