The Berean Pursuit
This is the burden against Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:
The LORD is a jealous and avenging God;
the LORD is avenging and full of wrath.
The LORD takes vengeance on His foes
and reserves wrath for His enemies.
The LORD is slow to anger
and great in power;
the LORD will by no means
leave the guilty unpunished.
His path is in the whirlwind and storm,
and clouds are the dust beneath His feet.
He rebukes the sea and dries it up;
He makes all the rivers run dry.
Bashan and Carmel wither,
and the flower of Lebanon wilts.
The mountains quake before Him,
and the hills melt away;
the earth trembles at His presence-
the world and all its dwellers.
Who can withstand His indignation?
Who can endure His burning anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire;
even rocks are shattered before Him.
The LORD is good,
a stronghold in the day of distress;
He cares for those who trust in Him.
But with an overwhelming flood
He will make an end of Nineveh
and pursue His enemies into darkness.
Whatever you plot against the LORD,
He will bring to an end.
Affliction will not rise up
a second time.
For they will be entangled as with thorns
and consumed like the drink of a drunkard-
like stubble that is fully dry.
From you, O Nineveh, comes forth
a plotter of evil against the LORD,
a counselor of wickedness.
This is what the LORD says:
"Though they are allied and numerous,
yet they will be cut down and pass away.
Though I have afflicted you, O Judah,
I will afflict you no longer.
For I will now break their yoke from your neck
and tear away your shackles."
The LORD has issued a command concerning you, O Nineveh:
"There will be no descendants
to carry on your name.
I will cut off the carved image and cast idol
from the house of your gods;
I will prepare your grave,
for you are contemptible."
Look to the mountains-
the feet of one who brings good news,
who proclaims peace!
Celebrate your feasts, O Judah;
fulfill your vows.
For the wicked will never again march through you;
they will be utterly cut off.
Hallelujah!
Sing to the LORD a new song-
His praise in the assembly of the godly.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
Let them praise His name with dancing,
and make music to Him with tambourine and harp.
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;
He adorns the afflicted with salvation.
Let the saints exult in glory;
let them shout for joy upon their beds.
May the high praises of God be in their mouths,
and a double-edged sword in their hands,
to inflict vengeance on the nations
and punishment on the peoples,
to bind their kings with chains
and their nobles with shackles of iron,
to execute the judgment written against them.
This honor is for all His saints.
Hallelujah!