After them the men of Tekoa worked on another section, from opposite the great protruding tower to the wall of Ophel.

There are those who rebel against the light; they do not know its ways and they do not stay on its paths.

I will teach you about the power of God; What is on the Almighty’s mind I will not conceal.

For the music director; By David, a psalm. I relied completely on the Lord, and he turned toward me and heard my cry for help.

You, by your power, defeated nations and settled our fathers on their land; you crushed the people living there and enabled our ancestors to occupy it.

They say, “Come on, let’s annihilate them so they are no longer a nation! Then the name of Israel will be remembered no more.”

The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have made a promise on oath to David, my servant:

The Lord makes this promise on oath and will not revoke it: “You are an eternal priest after the pattern of Melchizedek.”

The name of the Lord is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high.

The nations will be burned to ashes; like thorn bushes that have been cut down, they will be set on fire.

No, a wind too strong for that will come at my bidding. Yes, even now I, myself, am calling down judgment on them.’

But I am not really the one being troubled!” says the Lord. “Rather they are bringing trouble on themselves to their own shame!

“Hear the terms of the covenant I made with Israel and pass them on to the people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem.

Listen to what they are saying to me. They are saying, “Where are the things the Lord threatens us with? Come on! Let’s see them happen!”

You kept the promise that you swore on oath to their ancestors. You gave them a land flowing with milk and honey.

‘Call on me in prayer and I will answer you. I will show you great and mysterious things which you still do not know about.’

Now King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had issued orders concerning Jeremiah. He had passed them on through Nebuzaradan, the captain of his royal guard,

But Ishmael son of Nethaniah managed to escape from Johanan along with eight of his men, and he went on over to Ammon.

I will do this in order to capture the hearts of the house of Israel, who have alienated themselves from me on account of all their idols.’

so it would be a lowly kingdom which could not rise on its own but must keep its treaty with him in order to stand.