Study Desk

"How dare you go on persecuting me, saying, ‘It's his own fault'?

May God give them a bellyful of trouble. May God rain down his anger upon them.

"‘Well,' you say, ‘at least God will punish their children!' But I say he should punish the ones who sin, so that they understand his judgment.

Listen to his instructions, and store them in your heart.

If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court.

Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me.

Would he use his great power to argue with me? No, he would give me a fair hearing.

For I have stayed on God's paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside.

I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food.

But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind? Whatever he wants to do, he does.

No wonder I am so terrified in his presence. When I think of it, terror grips me.

The adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No one will see me then.' He hides his face so no one will know him.

"God, in his power, drags away the rich. They may rise high, but they have no assurance of life.

Who is able to count his heavenly army? Doesn't his light shine on all the earth?

He wraps the rain in his thick clouds, and the clouds don't burst with the weight.

He covers the face of the moon, shrouding it with his clouds.

The foundations of heaven tremble; they shudder at his rebuke.

By his power the sea grew calm. By his skill he crushed the great sea monster.

His Spirit made the heavens beautiful, and his power pierced the gliding serpent.

These are just the beginning of all that he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?"