1 The good man's steps are led aright,
His way is pleasing in God's sight,
Established it shall stand;
He shall not perish though he fall,
The mighty Lord, who rules o'er all,
Upholds him with His hand.

2 Though I am old who young have been,
No saint have I forsaken seen,
Nor yet his home in need;
He ever lends in gracious ways,
His life true charity displays,
His sons are blest indeed.

3 Depart from evil, do thou well,
And evermore securely dwell;
Jehovah loves the right.
His faithfulness His saints have proved,
Forever they shall stand unmoved,
But sinners God will smite.

4 The righteous, through His favoring hand,
Shall yet inherit all the land
And dwell therein for aye;
He talks of wisdom and of right,
In God's pure law is his delight,
His steps go not astray.

5 The wicked, watching for their prey,
Desire the righteous man to slay,
But God is on his side;
He will not leave him in their hands,
Nor count him guilty when he stands
In judgment to be tried.

6 Wait on the Lord and keep His way;
He will exalt thee, nor delay
To give the land to thee;
And when the wicked are cut off,
The wicked who against thee scoff,
Their judgment thou shalt see.

7 The wicked in great power are seen,
Like spreading tree with foliage green
That grows in native ground.
I looked again, they were no more;
I sought the men so proud before,
But they could not be found.

8 Mark thou the upright day by day,
Behold the perfect in his way,
His journey ends in peace.
Destroyed at once shall rebels be;
Cut off from all posterity,
Their very name shall cease.

9 Salvation is from God alone,
Whom as their covert saints have known
When by sore troubles tried;
The Lord, who helped in troubles past,
Will save them to the very last,
For they in Him confide.