Study Desk

His raging anger lashed out against them, He sent fury, rage, and trouble as messengers who bring disaster.

He sent his anger in full force; he did not spare them from death; he handed their lives over to destruction.

Yet he brought out his people like sheep; he led them through the wilderness like a flock.

He brought them to the border of his holy land, to this mountainous land which his right hand acquired.

Yet they challenged and defied the sovereign God, and did not obey his commands.

He allowed the symbol of his strong presence to be captured; he gave the symbol of his splendor into the hand of the enemy.

He delivered his people over to the sword, and was angry with his chosen nation.

But then the Lord awoke from his sleep; he was like a warrior in a drunken rage.

He drove his enemies back; he made them a permanent target for insults.

He made his sanctuary as enduring as the heavens above; as secure as the earth, which he established permanently.

He chose David, his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds.

He took him away from following the mother sheep, and made him the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and of Israel, his chosen nation.

For they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his home.

It said: "I removed the burden from his shoulder; his hands were released from holding the basket.

I will listen to what God the Lord says. For he will make peace with his people, his faithful followers. Yet they must not return to their foolish ways.

Certainly his loyal followers will soon experience his deliverance; then his splendor will again appear in our land.

Yes, the Lord will bestow his good blessings, and our land will yield its crops.

I will crush his enemies before him; I will strike down those who hate him.

I will place his hand over the sea, his right hand over the rivers.

I will give him an eternal dynasty, and make his throne as enduring as the skies above.