Study Desk

"Oh, that a man would mediate and plead with God [for me] Just as a man [mediates and pleads] with his neighbor and friend.

"He who denounces and informs against his friends for a share of the spoil, The eyes of his children will also languish and fail.

"Nevertheless the righteous will hold to his ways, And he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.

"Indeed, the light of the wicked will be put out, And the flame of his fire will not shine.

"The light will be dark in his tent, And his lamp beside him will be put out.

"The vigorous stride will be shortened, And his own counsel and the scheme [in which he trusted] will bring his downfall.

"For the wicked is thrown into a net by his own feet (wickedness), And he steps on the webbing [of the lattice-covered pit].

"Terrors frighten him on every side And chase at his heels.

"The strength [of the wicked] is famished and weakened, And disaster is ready at his side [if he stops].

"His skin is devoured by disease; The firstborn of death [the worst of diseases] consumes his limbs.

"He is torn from his tent which he trusted [for safety], And he is marched and brought to the king of terrors (death).

"Nothing of his dwells in his tent; Brimstone (burning sulfur) is scattered over his dwelling [to purify it].

"The roots [of the wicked] are dried up below, And above, his branch is cut off and withers.

"He has no offspring or prosperity among his people, Nor any survivor where he sojourned.

"Those in the west are astonished and appalled at his fate, And those in the east are seized with horror.

Know then that God has wronged me and overthrown me And has closed His net around me.

"He has also kindled His wrath [like a fire] against me And He considers and counts me as one of His adversaries.

"His troops come together And build up their way and siege works against me And camp around my tent.

"For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, And at the last He will take His stand upon the earth.

"Though his pride reaches the heavens And his head touches the clouds,