Habakkuk's Complaint
(Psalm 13:1-6)
1The burdenwhich Habakkukthe prophetdid see.
2O LORD,how long shall I cry,and thou wilt not hear![even] cry outunto thee [of] violence,and thou wilt not save!
3Why dost thou shewme iniquity,and cause [me] to beholdgrievance?for spoilingand violence[are] before me: and there are [that] raise upstrifeand contention.
4Therefore the lawis slacked,and judgmentdoth nevergo forth:for the wickeddoth compassabout the righteous;therefore wrongjudgmentproceedeth.
The Lord's Answer
5Beholdye among the heathen,and regard,and wondermarvellously:for [I] will worka workin your days,[which] ye will not believe,though it be told[you].
6For, lo, I raise upthe Chaldeans,[that] bitterand hastynation,which shall marchthrough the breadthof the land,to possessthe dwellingplaces[that are] not theirs.
7They [are] terribleand dreadful:their judgmentand their dignityshall proceedof themselves.
8Their horsesalso are swifterthan the leopards,and are more fiercethan the eveningwolves:and their horsemenshall spreadthemselves, and their horsemenshall comefrom far;they shall flyas the eagle[that] hastethto eat.
9They shall comeall for violence:their facesshall sup up[as] the east wind,and they shall gatherthe captivityas the sand.
10And they shall scoffat the kings,and the princesshall be a scornunto them: they shall derideevery strong hold;for they shall heapdust,and takeit.
11Then shall [his] mindchange,and he shall pass over,and offend,[imputing] thishis powerunto his god.
Habakkuk's Second Complaint
(Psalm 11:1-7)
12[Art] thou not from everlasting,O LORDmy God,mine Holy One?we shall not die.O LORD,thou hast ordainedthem for judgment;and, O mighty God,thou hast establishedthem for correction.
13[Thou art] of purereyesthan to beholdevil,and canstnot lookon iniquity:wherefore lookestthou upon them that deal treacherously,[and] holdest thy tonguewhen the wickeddevoureth[the man that is] more righteousthan he?
14And makestmenas the fishesof the sea,as the creeping things,[that have] no rulerover them?
15They take upall of them with the angle,they catchthem in their net,and gatherthem in their drag:therefore they rejoiceand are glad.
16Therefore they sacrificeunto their net,and burn incenseunto their drag;because by themtheir portion[is] fat,and their meatplenteous.
17Shall they therefore emptytheir net,and not sparecontinuallyto slaythe nations?
