9

O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.

Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.

For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.

When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.

I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.

Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:

Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.

For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.

Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.

If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;

If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?

I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.

If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:

They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.

Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.

The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?

If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.

This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.

Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.

If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.

If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?

He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.

For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.

If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.

Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.

How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?

If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.

Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?