Study Desk

Without compassion the Lord has swallowed upall the dwellings of Jacob.In his wrath he has demolishedthe fortified cities of Daughter Judah.He brought them to the groundand defiled the kingdom and its leaders.

He has cut off every horn of Israelin his burning angerand withdrawn his right handin the presence of the enemy.He has blazed against Jacob like a flaming firethat consumes everything.

He has strung his bow like an enemy;his right hand is positioned like an adversary.He has killed everyone who was the delight to the eye,pouring out his wrath like fireon the tent of Daughter Zion.

He has wrecked his templeas if it were merely a shack in a field,destroying his place of meeting.The Lord has abolishedappointed festivals and Sabbaths in Zion.He has despised king and priestin his fierce anger.

The Lord has rejected his altar,repudiated his sanctuary;he has handed the walls of her palacesover to the enemy.They have raised a shout in the house of the Lordas on the day of an appointed festival.

The Lord has done what he planned;he has accomplished his decree,which he ordained in days of old.He has demolished without compassion,letting the enemy gloat over youand exalting the horn of your adversaries.

Yes, he repeatedly turns his handagainst me all day long.

He strung his bowand set me as the target for his arrow.

He pierced my kidneyswith shafts from his quiver.

Because of the Lord’s faithful lovewe do not perish,for his mercies never end.

Let him put his mouth in the dust—perhaps there is still hope.

Let him offer his cheekto the one who would strike him;let him be filled with disgrace.

Even if he causes suffering,he will show compassionaccording to the abundance of his faithful love.

or subverting a person in his lawsuit—the Lord does not approve of these things.

Why should any living person complain,any man, because of the punishment for his sins?

The nursing baby’s tongueclings to the roof of his mouth from thirst.Infants beg for food,but no one gives them any.

The Lord has exhausted his wrath,poured out his burning anger;he has ignited a fire in Zion,and it has consumed her foundations.

The Lord’s anointed, the breath of our life,was captured in their traps.We had said about him,“We will live under his protection among the nations.”

From what seemed to be his waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire enclosing it all around. From what seemed to be his waist down, I also saw what looked like fire. There was a brilliant light all around him.

The Spirit then lifted me up, and I heard a loud rumbling sound behind me—bless the glory of the Lord in his place!—