Study Desk

"He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams ^(F87) ;

the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind.

Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion?

See how he scatters his lightning about him, bathing the depths of the sea.

This is the way he governs ^(F88) the nations and provides food in abundance.

He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark.

His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach.

"At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place.

Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.

He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth.

After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back.

God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.

He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'

So that all men he has made may know his work, he stops every man from his labor. ^(F90)

The animals take cover; they remain in their dens.

The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds.

The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.

He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them.

At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them.

He brings the clouds to punish men, or to water his earth ^(F91) and show his love.