Judah's Song Trusts the Everlasting Rock for Justice

Judah sings of a city whose walls are salvation and whose gates open to the righteous nation

In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.

Peace is stayed mind and everlasting rock, not a conspiracy-proof bunker. The strong city is given by God, not seized. Date-setting and triumphal violence are not this song.

Lofty cities are brought down so the poor can walk, and night desire waits for judgment that teaches

For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust. The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.

Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD. LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.

The poor's feet on a lowered height is justice, not a riot to organize. Night-long desire asks that judgment teach righteousness. The wicked's refusal even in an upright land is noted without turning the fire into a human weapon or a headline decoder.