I listened and my stomach churned; the sound made my lips quiver. My frame went limp, as if my bones were decaying, and I shook as I tried to walk. I long for the day of distress to come upon the people who attack us.

Because you robbed many countries, all who are left among the nations will rob you. You have shed human blood and committed violent acts against lands, cities, and those who live in them.

But you trample on the sea with your horses, on the surging, raging waters.

For the stones in the walls will cry out, and the wooden rafters will answer back.

You made people like fish in the sea, like animals in the sea that have no ruler.

Your bow is ready for action; you commission your arrows. Selah. You cause flash floods on the earth’s surface.

What good is an idol? Why would a craftsman make it? What good is a metal image that gives misleading oracles? Why would its creator place his trust in it and make such mute, worthless things?

The Babylonian tyrant pulls them all up with a fishhook; he hauls them in with his throw net. When he catches them in his dragnet, he is very happy.

God comes from Teman, the sovereign one from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor covers the skies, his glory fills the earth.

When the mountains see you, they shake. The torrential downpour sweeps through. The great deep shouts out; it lifts its hands high.

They are frightening and terrifying; they decide for themselves what is right.

Is the Lord mad at the rivers? Are you angry with the rivers? Are you enraged at the sea? Is this why you climb into your horse-drawn chariots, your victorious chariots?

“But all these nations will someday taunt him and ridicule him with proverbial sayings: ‘The one who accumulates what does not belong to him is as good as dead (How long will this go on?) – he who gets rich by extortion!’

They mock kings and laugh at rulers. They laugh at every fortified city; they build siege ramps and capture them.

Your schemes will bring shame to your house. Because you destroyed many nations, you will self-destruct.

When the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines; when the olive trees do not produce, and the fields yield no crops; when the sheep disappear from the pen, and there are no cattle in the stalls,

You are too just to tolerate evil; you are unable to condone wrongdoing. So why do you put up with such treacherous people? Why do you say nothing when the wicked devour those more righteous than they are?

How long, Lord, must I cry for help? But you do not listen! I call out to you, “Violence!” But you do not intervene!

Will he then continue to fill and empty his throw net? Will he always destroy nations and spare none?

For this reason the law lacks power, and justice is never carried out. Indeed, the wicked intimidate the innocent. For this reason justice is perverted.