1 Righteous art thou, O Lord,

when I complain to thee;

yet I would plead my case before thee.

Why does the way of the wicked prosper?

Why do all who are treacherous thrive?

2 Thou plantest them, and they take root;

they grow and bring forth fruit;

thou art near in their mouth

and far from their heart.

3 But thou, O Lord, knowest me;

thou seest me, and triest my mind toward thee.

Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter,

and set them apart for the day of slaughter.

4 How long will the land mourn,

and the grass of every field wither?

For the wickedness of those who dwell in it

the beasts and the birds are swept away,

because men said, “He will not see our latter end.”