1
Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wickedprosper ? wherefore are all they happy that deal verytreacherously ?
2
Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root : they grow , yea, they bring forthfruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.
3
But thou, O LORD,knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
4
How long shall the landmourn , and the herbs of every fieldwither , for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed , and the birds; because they said , He shall not see our last end.
5
If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst , they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?
6
For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitudeafter thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.
7
I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies .
8
Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out* against me: therefore have I hated it.