₂Who are you to question my wisdom

with your ignorant, empty words?

₃Now stand up straight

and answer the questions I ask you.

₄Were you there when I made the world?

If you know so much, tell me about it.

₅Who decided how large it would be?

Who stretched the measuring line over it?

Do you know all the answers?

₆What holds up the pillars that support the earth?

Who laid the cornerstone of the world?

₇In the dawn of that day the stars sang together,

and the heavenly beings shouted for joy.

₈Who closed the gates to hold back the sea

when it burst from the womb of the earth?

₉It was I who covered the sea with clouds

and wrapped it in darkness.

₁₀I marked a boundary for the sea

and kept it behind bolted gates.

₁₁I told it, “So far and no farther!

Here your powerful waves must stop.”

₁“Give thanks to the LORD, because he is good;

his love is eternal!”

₂Repeat these words in praise to the LORD,

all you whom he has saved.

He has rescued you from your enemies

₃and has brought you back from foreign countries,

from east and west, from north and south.

₂₃Some sailed over the ocean in ships,

earning their living on the seas.

₂₄They saw what the LORD can do,

his wonderful acts on the seas.

₂₅He commanded, and a mighty wind began to blow

and stirred up the waves.

₂₆The ships were lifted high in the air

and plunged down into the depths.

In such danger the sailors lost their courage;

₂₇they stumbled and staggered like drunken men —

all their skill was useless.

₂₈Then in their trouble they called to the LORD,

and he saved them from their distress.

₂₉He calmed the raging storm,

and the waves became quiet.

₃₀They were glad because of the calm,

and he brought them safe to the port they wanted.

₃₁They must thank the LORD for his constant love,

for the wonderful things he did for them.

₃₂They must proclaim his greatness in the assembly of the people

and praise him before the council of the leaders.