Nahum 1 WBT
Summary: Nahum opens with a hymn to the LORD as a jealous and avenging God, slow to anger but great in power, before whom mountains quake and the earth melts, yet who "will by no means clear the guilty" (v. 3). This description of overwhelming, storm-riding power sets up the chapter's dual message: it is terrifying news for Nineveh, whose end is already decreed, but comfort for Judah, since "the LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him" (v. 7). The chapter closes announcing that the wicked oppressor (Assyria) will never again invade Judah, for the LORD is about to break its yoke completely.
1The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite,
2God [is] jealous, and the LORD avengeth; the LORD avengeth, and [is] furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies.
3The LORD [is] slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit [the wicked]: the LORD [hath] his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds [are] the dust of his feet.
4He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.
5The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, even the world, and all that dwell therein.
6Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
7The LORD [is] good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
8But with an over-running flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
9What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.
10For while [they] are folded together [as] thorns, and while they are drunken [as] drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.
11There is [one] come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counselor.
12Thus saith the LORD; Though [they are] quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
13For now I will break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds asunder.
14And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, [that] no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.
15Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
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