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Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.”¹

David was lamenting the wicked around him. His soul was tormented; yet his spirit would declare God’s goodness, righteousness, and everlasting love. He pleaded as much as he could with God. Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.²  

But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips? For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you keep company with adulterers. You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.³

O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD!⁴ . . . I have spoken persistently to you, but you have not listened. You have neither listened nor inclined you ears to hear, although the LORD persistently sent to you all his servants and prophets, saying, ‘Turn now, every one of you, from his evil way and evil deeds, . . .⁵ The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth speaking lies. They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear, so that it does not hear the voice of charmers or the cunning enchanter.⁶ Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.⁷ Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.⁸

I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!⁹ Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.¹⁰

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.¹¹ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, . . . For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”¹² Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.¹³

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.¹⁴