God’s Generosity and Human Need

1 Lord God, I will praise Your name with joy, among those who know Your righteous judgments. 2 For You are good and merciful, the refuge of the poor; When I cry to You, do not silently disregard me. 3 For no one takes plunder from a powerful man; Who, then, can take anything You have made unless You Yourself give it?⁠a 4 For man and his portion (lie) in Your presence in the balance; He cannot increase what You have assigned to him, God.

5 When we are in distress we call upon You for help, And You do not reject our request, for You are our God. 6 Do not let Your hand weigh heavily on us, so that hardship does not lead us into sin. 7 Even though You do not restore us, we will not stay away; But we will come to You.

8 For if I hunger, I will cry to You, God; and You will give to me.⁠b 9 You feed birds and fish, by giving rain to the steppes so that green grass may grow,⁠c 10 (So) to prepare fodder in the steppe for every living thing; And if they are hungry, they lift their faces to You. 11 You feed kings and rulers and peoples, God; And who helps the poor and needy, if not You, Lord? 12 And You will listen, for who is good and gentle but You? You bring joy to the humble person’s soul by opening Your hand in mercy. 13 Human kindness is (given) grudgingly and [text uncertain]; And if someone repeats (it) without complaining, even that is marvelous. 14 But Your gift is great in goodness and wealth, And the person whose hope is (set) on You will lack no gifts. 15 Your mercy extends in goodness over the whole earth, Lord.

16 Happy is he whom God remembers by (granting to him) enough to live on; If a man has too much, he sins. 17 Modest resources with righteousness are enough, and in this way the Lord’s blessing (becomes) abundance with righteousness. 18 Those who fear the Lord rejoice in good (gifts), And Your goodness is upon Israel in Your kingdom. 19 Blessed is the glory of the Lord for He is our king.