The Babylonian Exile

But though he sende affliction, yet will he haue compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

For he doeth not punish willingly, nor afflict the children of men,

In stamping vnder his feete all the prisoners of the earth,

In ouerthrowing the right of a man before the face of the most high,

In subuerting a man in his cause: the Lord seeth it not.

Who is he then that sayth, and it commeth to passe, and the Lord commandeth it not?

Out of the mouth of the most high proceedeth not euill and good?

Wherefore then is the liuing man sorowfull? man suffreth for his sinne.

Let vs search and try our wayes, and turne againe to the Lord.

Let vs lift vp our hearts with our handes vnto God in the heauens.

We haue sinned, and haue rebelled, therefore thou hast not spared.

Thou hast couered vs with wrath, and persecuted vs: thou hast slaine and not spared.

Thou hast couered thy selfe with a cloude, that our prayer should not passe through.

Thou hast made vs as the ofscouring and refuse in the middes of the people.

All our enemies haue opened their mouth against vs.

Feare, and a snare is come vpon vs with desolation and destruction.

Mine eye casteth out riuers of water, for the destruction of the daughter of my people.

Mine eye droppeth without stay and ceaseth not,

Till the Lord looke downe, and beholde from heauen.

Mine eye breaketh mine heart because of all the daughters of my citie.

Mine enemies chased me sore like a birde, without cause.

They haue shut vp my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone vpon me.

Waters flowed ouer mine head, then thought I, I am destroyed.

I called vpon thy Name, O Lord, out of the lowe dungeon.

Thou hast heard my voyce: stoppe not thine eare from my sigh and from my cry.