New Living Translation NLT
The Message Bible MSG
1 I trust in the LORD for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!
1
I've already run for dear life straight to the arms of God. So why would I run away now when you say,
2 The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right.
2
the evil bows are bent, the wicked arrows Aimed to shoot under cover of darkness at every heart open to God.
3 The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?”
3
The bottom's dropped out of the country; good people don't have a chance"?
4 But the LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.
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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.
5 The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence.
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He tests the good and the bad alike; if anyone cheats, God's outraged.
6 He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds.
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Fail the test and you're out, out in a hail of firestones, Drinking from a canteen filled with hot desert wind.
7 For the righteous LORD loves justice. The virtuous will see his face.
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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.