Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Apparent injustice » Sometimes attributed to God
O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou will not hear? I cry out to thee of violence, and thou will not save.
The tents of robbers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure. Into whose hand God brings [abundantly].
Why do the wicked live, become old, yea, grow mighty in power?
for all the day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning.
All this I have seen in my days of vanity. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs [his life] in his evil-doing.
All things come alike to all. There is one event to the righteous man and to the wicked man, to the good man and to the clean man and to the unclean man, to him who sacrifices and to him who does not sacrifice, as is the good man,
Thou are righteous, O LORD, when I contend with thee. Yet I would reason the case with thee. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are all those at ease who deal very treacherously?
Yet ye say, The way of LORD is not equitable. Hear now, O house of Israel. Is not my way equitable? Are not your ways inequitable?
saying, These last did one hour, and thou have made them equal to us, who have borne the burden of the day and the heat.
Injustice » Sometimes attributed to God
O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou will not hear? I cry out to thee of violence, and thou will not save.
The tents of robbers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure. Into whose hand God brings [abundantly].
Why do the wicked live, become old, yea, grow mighty in power?
for all the day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning.
All this I have seen in my days of vanity. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs [his life] in his evil-doing.
All things come alike to all. There is one event to the righteous man and to the wicked man, to the good man and to the clean man and to the unclean man, to him who sacrifices and to him who does not sacrifice, as is the good man,
Thou are righteous, O LORD, when I contend with thee. Yet I would reason the case with thee. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are all those at ease who deal very treacherously?
Yet ye say, The way of LORD is not equitable. Hear now, O house of Israel. Is not my way equitable? Are not your ways inequitable?
saying, These last did one hour, and thou have made them equal to us, who have borne the burden of the day and the heat.
Partiality » Sometimes attributed to God
O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou will not hear? I cry out to thee of violence, and thou will not save.
The tents of robbers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure. Into whose hand God brings [abundantly].
Why do the wicked live, become old, yea, grow mighty in power?
for all the day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning.
All this I have seen in my days of vanity. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs [his life] in his evil-doing.
All things come alike to all. There is one event to the righteous man and to the wicked man, to the good man and to the clean man and to the unclean man, to him who sacrifices and to him who does not sacrifice, as is the good man,
Thou are righteous, O LORD, when I contend with thee. Yet I would reason the case with thee. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are all those at ease who deal very treacherously?
Yet ye say, The way of LORD is not equitable. Hear now, O house of Israel. Is not my way equitable? Are not your ways inequitable?
saying, These last did one hour, and thou have made them equal to us, who have borne the burden of the day and the heat.
Philosophy » Philosophical inductions and deductions relating to God and his providence
But as for me, I would seek to God. And to God I would commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number, who gives rain upon the earth, and sends waters upon the fields, read more.
so that he sets up on high those who are low, and those who mourn are exalted to safety. He frustrates the devices of the crafty so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. He takes the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the cunning is carried headlong. They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope at noonday as in the night. But he saves from the sword of their mouth, even the needy from the hand of the mighty. So a poor man has hope, and iniquity stops her mouth. Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects. Therefore do not despise thou the chastening of the Almighty. For he injures, and binds up. He wounds, and his hands make whole. He will deliver thee in six troubles. Yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he will redeem thee from death, and in war from the power of the sword.
so that he sets up on high those who are low, and those who mourn are exalted to safety. He frustrates the devices of the crafty so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. He takes the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the cunning is carried headlong. They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope at noonday as in the night. But he saves from the sword of their mouth, even the needy from the hand of the mighty. So a poor man has hope, and iniquity stops her mouth. Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects. Therefore do not despise thou the chastening of the Almighty. For he injures, and binds up. He wounds, and his hands make whole. He will deliver thee in six troubles. Yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he will redeem thee from death, and in war from the power of the sword.
I will say to God, Do not condemn me. Show me why thou contend with me. Is it good to thee that thou should oppress, that thou should despise the work of thy hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked? Have thou eyes of flesh? Or do thou see as man sees? read more.
Are thy days as the days of man, or thy years as man's days, that thou inquire after my iniquity, and search after my sin, although thou know that I am not wicked. And there is none that can deliver out of thy hand? Thy hands have made me and fashioned me together round about, yet thou destroy me. Remember, I beseech thee, that thou have fashioned me as clay. And will thou bring me into dust again? Have thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Thou have clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. Thou have granted me life and loving kindness, and thy visitation has preserved my spirit. Yet these things thou hid in thy heart. I know that this is with thee. If I sin, then thou mark me. And thou will not acquit me from my iniquity. If I be wicked, woe to me. And if I be righteous, yet I shall not lift up my head, being filled with shame, and looking upon my affliction. And if [my head] exalts itself, thou hunt me as a lion. And again thou show thyself marvelous upon me. Thou renew thy witnesses against me, and increase thine indignation upon me. Changes and warfare are with me. Why then have thou brought me forth out of the womb? I would have given up the spirit, and no eye had seen me. I should have been as though I had not been. I should have been carried from the womb to the grave. Are not my days few? Cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little before I go where I shall not return, to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death,
Are thy days as the days of man, or thy years as man's days, that thou inquire after my iniquity, and search after my sin, although thou know that I am not wicked. And there is none that can deliver out of thy hand? Thy hands have made me and fashioned me together round about, yet thou destroy me. Remember, I beseech thee, that thou have fashioned me as clay. And will thou bring me into dust again? Have thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Thou have clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. Thou have granted me life and loving kindness, and thy visitation has preserved my spirit. Yet these things thou hid in thy heart. I know that this is with thee. If I sin, then thou mark me. And thou will not acquit me from my iniquity. If I be wicked, woe to me. And if I be righteous, yet I shall not lift up my head, being filled with shame, and looking upon my affliction. And if [my head] exalts itself, thou hunt me as a lion. And again thou show thyself marvelous upon me. Thou renew thy witnesses against me, and increase thine indignation upon me. Changes and warfare are with me. Why then have thou brought me forth out of the womb? I would have given up the spirit, and no eye had seen me. I should have been as though I had not been. I should have been carried from the womb to the grave. Are not my days few? Cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little before I go where I shall not return, to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death,
The tents of robbers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure. Into whose hand God brings [abundantly]. But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee, and the birds of the heavens, and they shall tell thee. Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee, and the fishes of the sea shall declare to thee. read more.
Who does not know in all these, that the hand of LORD has wrought this, in whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind? Does not the ear try words, even as the palate tastes its food? With aged men is wisdom, and in length of days understanding. With [God] is wisdom and might. He has counsel and understanding. Behold, he breaks down, and it cannot be built again. He shuts up a man, and there can be no opening. Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up. Again, he sends them out, and they overturn the earth. With him is strength and wisdom. The deceived and the deceiver are his. He leads counselors away stripped, and he makes judges fools. He loosens the bond of kings, and he binds their loins with a belt. He leads priests away stripped, and overthrows the mighty. He removes the speech of the trustworthy, and takes away the understanding of the elders. He pours contempt upon rulers, and weakens the strength of the strong. He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings out to light the shadow of death. He increases the nations, and he destroys them. He enlarges the nations, and he leads them captive. He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
Who does not know in all these, that the hand of LORD has wrought this, in whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind? Does not the ear try words, even as the palate tastes its food? With aged men is wisdom, and in length of days understanding. With [God] is wisdom and might. He has counsel and understanding. Behold, he breaks down, and it cannot be built again. He shuts up a man, and there can be no opening. Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up. Again, he sends them out, and they overturn the earth. With him is strength and wisdom. The deceived and the deceiver are his. He leads counselors away stripped, and he makes judges fools. He loosens the bond of kings, and he binds their loins with a belt. He leads priests away stripped, and overthrows the mighty. He removes the speech of the trustworthy, and takes away the understanding of the elders. He pours contempt upon rulers, and weakens the strength of the strong. He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings out to light the shadow of death. He increases the nations, and he destroys them. He enlarges the nations, and he leads them captive. He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
Behold, I will answer thee. In this thou are not just, for God is greater than man. Why do thou strive against him because he does not give of any of his matters? For God speaks once, yea twice, [though man] does not regard it. read more.
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumberings upon the bed. Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction that he may withdraw man [from his] purpose, and hide pride from man. He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. He also is chastened with pain upon his bed, and with continual strife in his bones, so that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food. His flesh is consumed away that it cannot be seen. And his bones that were not seen stick out. Yea, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers. If there be with him a [heavenly] agent, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him, then [God] is gracious to him, and says, Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child's. He returns to the days of his youth. He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy, and he restores to man his righteousness. He sings before men, and says, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it did not profit me. He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit, and my life shall behold the light. Lo, all these things God works twice, [yea] thrice, with a man, to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumberings upon the bed. Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction that he may withdraw man [from his] purpose, and hide pride from man. He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. He also is chastened with pain upon his bed, and with continual strife in his bones, so that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food. His flesh is consumed away that it cannot be seen. And his bones that were not seen stick out. Yea, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers. If there be with him a [heavenly] agent, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him, then [God] is gracious to him, and says, Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child's. He returns to the days of his youth. He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy, and he restores to man his righteousness. He sings before men, and says, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it did not profit me. He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit, and my life shall behold the light. Lo, all these things God works twice, [yea] thrice, with a man, to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
Prosperity » Of the wicked, general references to
The tents of robbers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure. Into whose hand God brings [abundantly].
Thou are righteous, O LORD, when I contend with thee. Yet I would reason the case with thee. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are all those at ease who deal very treacherously?
They have grown fat. They shine. Yea, they overflow in deeds of wickedness. They do not plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper. And they do not judge the right of the needy.
For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
I have seen a wicked man in great power, and spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.
Behold, these are the wicked, and those who always prosper. They have possessed wealth.
Tents » Called » Tabernacles
The tents of robbers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure. Into whose hand God brings [abundantly].
By faith he lived alien in the land of promise as a foreigner, having dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the fellow heirs of the same promise.
Theft » The wicked » May, for a season, prosper in
The tents of robbers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure. Into whose hand God brings [abundantly].
Wicked people » Prosperity of
Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, nor be thou envious against those who work unrighteousness.
The tents of robbers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure. Into whose hand God brings [abundantly].
that the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the profane but for a moment?
Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and prolongs his [days], yet surely I know that it shall be well with those who fear God, who fear before him. But it shall not be well with a wicked man, neither shall he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow, because he did not fear before God.
I have seen a wicked man in great power, and spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil. But I passed by, and, lo, he was not. Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
And now we call the proud happy. Yea, those who work wickedness are built up. Yea, they challenge God, and escape.
Why do thou show me iniquity, and look upon perverseness? For destruction and violence are before me, and there is strife, and contention rises up. Therefore the law is slacked, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked man surrounds the righteous man, therefore justice goes forth perverted.
I have seen the foolish taking root, but suddenly I cursed his habitation. His sons are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate. Neither is there any to deliver them, whose harvest the hungry eat up, and takes it even out of the thorns, and the snare gapes for their substance.
He wanders abroad for bread, [saying], Where is it? He knows that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.
He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall their possessions be extended on the earth.
In the fullness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits. The hand of everyone who is in misery shall come upon him.
Why do the wicked live, become old, yea, grow mighty in power? Their seed is established with them in their sight, and their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, nor is the rod of God upon them. read more.
Their bull breeds, and does not fail. Their cow brings forth safely, and does not miscarry. They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. They sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe. They spend their days in prosperity, and in a moment they go down to Sheol.
Their bull breeds, and does not fail. Their cow brings forth safely, and does not miscarry. They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. They sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe. They spend their days in prosperity, and in a moment they go down to Sheol.
For he shall see it. Wise men die. The fool and the brutish alike perish, and leave their wealth to others. Their inward thought is [that] their houses [are] forever, their dwelling-places to all generations. They call their lands after their own names. Even a man in splendor does not abide. He is like the beasts that perish. read more.
This their way is their folly. Yet after them men approve their sayings. Selah. They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning. And their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, that there be no habitation for it. But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah.
This their way is their folly. Yet after them men approve their sayings. Selah. They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning. And their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, that there be no habitation for it. But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah.
For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as [other] men, nor are they plagued like [other] men. read more.
Therefore pride is as a chain around their neck. Violence covers them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness. They have more than heart could wish. They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression. They speak loftily. They have set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth. Therefore his people return here, and waters of a full [cup] are drained by them. And they say, How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High? Behold, these are the wicked, and those who always prosper. They have possessed wealth. Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence, for all the day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I had said, I will speak thus, behold, I would have dealt treacherously with the generation of thy sons. When I thought how I might understand this, it was too painful for me, until I went into the sanctuary of God, and considered their latter end. Surely thou set them in slippery places. Thou cast them down to destruction. How they have become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream from awakening, O LORD, when thou waken, thou will despise their form. For my soul was grieved, and I was pricked in my heart. So I was brutish, and ignorant. I was a beast before thee.
Therefore pride is as a chain around their neck. Violence covers them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness. They have more than heart could wish. They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression. They speak loftily. They have set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth. Therefore his people return here, and waters of a full [cup] are drained by them. And they say, How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High? Behold, these are the wicked, and those who always prosper. They have possessed wealth. Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence, for all the day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I had said, I will speak thus, behold, I would have dealt treacherously with the generation of thy sons. When I thought how I might understand this, it was too painful for me, until I went into the sanctuary of God, and considered their latter end. Surely thou set them in slippery places. Thou cast them down to destruction. How they have become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream from awakening, O LORD, when thou waken, thou will despise their form. For my soul was grieved, and I was pricked in my heart. So I was brutish, and ignorant. I was a beast before thee.
A brutish man knows not, nor does a fool understand this. When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity flourish, it is that they shall be destroyed forever,
Thou are righteous, O LORD, when I contend with thee. Yet I would reason the case with thee. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are all those at ease who deal very treacherously? Thou have planted them. Yea, they have taken root, they grow. Yea, they bring forth fruit. Thou are near in their mouth, and far from their heart.
Thou who are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and who cannot look on perverseness, why do thou look upon those who deal treacherously, and hold thy peace when the wicked man swallows up the man who is more righteous than he, and makes men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? He takes all of them up with the hook. He catches them in his net, and gathers them in his drag. Therefore he rejoices and is glad. read more.
Therefore he sacrifices to his net, and burns incense to his drag, because by them his portion is fat, and his food plentiful. Shall he therefore empty his net, and not spare to kill the nations continually?
Therefore he sacrifices to his net, and burns incense to his drag, because by them his portion is fat, and his food plentiful. Shall he therefore empty his net, and not spare to kill the nations continually?
The wicked » Causes of failure in » Prosperity of
The tents of robbers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure. Into whose hand God brings [abundantly].
Thou are righteous, O LORD, when I contend with thee. Yet I would reason the case with thee. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are all those at ease who deal very treacherously?
They have grown fat. They shine. Yea, they overflow in deeds of wickedness. They do not plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper. And they do not judge the right of the needy.
For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
I have seen a wicked man in great power, and spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.
Behold, these are the wicked, and those who always prosper. They have possessed wealth.