39. When they decrease in number and become impoverishedthrough oppression, trouble, and sorrow,
40. the lord pours contempt on their princes,causing them to wander in trackless wastelands.
41. But he rescues the poor from troubleand increases their families like flocks of sheep.
42. The godly will see these things and be glad,while the wicked are struck silent.
43. Those who are wise will take all this to heart;they will see in our history the faithful love of the lord.