The Message Bible MSG
World English Bible WEB
1 I've already run for dear life straight to the arms of God. So why would I run away now when you say,
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<<For the Chief Musician. By David.>> In Yahweh do I take refuge. How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain!"
2 the evil bows are bent, the wicked arrows Aimed to shoot under cover of darkness at every heart open to God.
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For, behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrows on the strings, That they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
3 The bottom's dropped out of the country; good people don't have a chance"?
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If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?
4 But God hasn't moved to the mountains; his holy address hasn't changed. He's in charge, as always, his eyes taking everything in, his eyelids Unblinking, examining Adam's unruly brood inside and out, not missing a thing.
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Yahweh is in his holy temple. Yahweh is on his throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine the children of men.
5 He tests the good and the bad alike; if anyone cheats, God's outraged.
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Yahweh examines the righteous, But the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates.
6 Fail the test and you're out, out in a hail of firestones, Drinking from a canteen filled with hot desert wind.
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On the wicked he will rain blazing coals; Fire, sulfur, and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7 God's business is putting things right; he loves getting the lines straight, Setting us straight. Once we're standing tall, we can look him straight in the eye.
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For Yahweh is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see his face.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
The World English Bible is in the public domain.