Study Desk

Indeed, God is my salvation;I will trust him and not be afraid,for the Lord, the Lord himself,is my strength and my song.He has become my salvation.”

Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things.Let this be known throughout the earth.

Cry out and sing, citizen of Zion,for the Holy One of Israel is among youin his greatness.”

Listen, a commotion on the mountains,like that of a mighty people!Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms,like nations being gathered together!The Lord of Armies is mobilizing an army for war.

Wail! For the day of the Lord is near.It will come as destruction from the Almighty.

I will punish the world for its evil,and wicked people for their iniquities.I will put an end to the pride of the arrogantand humiliate the insolence of tyrants.

Look! I am stirring up the Medes against them,who cannot be bought off with silverand who have no desire for gold.

For the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and will choose Israel again. He will settle them on their own land. The resident alien will join them and be united with the house of Jacob.

Sheol below is eager to greet your coming,stirring up the spirits of the departed for you—all the rulers of the earth—making all the kings of the nationsrise from their thrones.

Prepare a place of slaughter for his sons,because of the iniquity of their fathers.They will never rise up to possess a landor fill the surface of the earth with cities.

“I will make her a swampland and a region for herons, and I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction.”

Wail, you gates! Cry out, city!Tremble with fear, all Philistia!For a cloud of dust is coming from the north,and there is no one missing from the invader’s ranks.

For their cry echoesthroughout the territory of Moab.Their wailing reaches Eglaim;their wailing reaches Beer-elim.

The Waters of Dibon are full of blood,but I will bring on Dibon even more than this—a lion for those who escape from Moab,and for the survivors in the land.

Let my refugees stay with you;be a refuge for Moab from the aggressor.When the oppressor has gone,destruction has ended,and marauders have vanished from the land,

Therefore let Moab wail;let every one of them wail for Moab.You who are completely devastated, mournfor the raisin cakes of Kir-hareseth.

For Heshbon’s terraced vineyardsand the grapevines of Sibmah have withered.The rulers of the nationshave trampled its choice vinesthat reached as far as Jazerand spread to the desert.Their shoots spread outand reached the sea.

So I join with Jazerto weep for the vines of Sibmah;I drench Heshbon and Elealeh with my tears.Triumphant shouts have fallen silentover your summer fruit and your harvest.

Joy and rejoicing have been removed from the orchard;no one is singing or shouting for joy in the vineyards.No one tramples grapes in the winepresses.I have put an end to the shouting.

Therefore I moan like the sound of a lyre for Moab,as does my innermost being for Kir-heres.