2O that I were as in months past, as in the days when God took care of me;

3When he put his worship high upon my head, when his lamp shone over me; and when by his light I walked through darkness.

4O, that I were as in the days when I was in favor, when God abode in my tabernacle;

5When the Almighty was yet round about me in my youth;

6When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;

7When I went out to the gate of the city and called on the people; and sat down like a poor man in the street,

8The young men saw me and hid themselves; and the aged arose, and respected me.

9The nobles held their peace, and laid their hands on their mouth.

10The voice of the princes was restrained, and their tongues cleaved to the roof of their mouth.

11For when the ear heard me, then it praised me; and when the eye saw me, it gave testimony about me;

12Because I delivered the poor out of distress, and the fatherless who had none to help him.

13The blessing of him who was ready to perish came upon me; and I caused the widow's heart to rejoice.

14I put on righteousness, and it clothed me like a robe and diadem of justice.

15I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.

16I was a father to the poor; and the cause which I knew not I searched out.

17And I broke the jaws of the wicked, and snatched the prey out of his teeth.

18Then I said, I shall become straight like a reed, I shall deliver the poor and multiply my days like the sand of the seas.

19My roots are planted by the waters, and the dew lies all night upon my boughs, and at the harvest season I shall be invited to the feast.

20I shall take my bow with me, and renew it in my hand.

21Men listened to me, and waited, and hearkened to my counsel.

22And from my words they departed not, and my speech was pleasing to them.

23They waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouths wide as for the spring rain.

24If I ridiculed them, they did not take offense; and they did not turn from the light of my countenance.

25I searched out their ways, and then returned and dwelt as a king in his army, like one who comforts the mourners.