H A B A K K U K ' S   S O N G
       -----------------------------



                                       CMD

[Habakkuk's Question]

How long, O Lord, must I call you?
How long must we endure?
How long will troubles still be seen
While you sit and observe?

Destructive violence all around
And fighting everywhere.
The law is weak, no justice done,
And evil men will dare.

      [God's reply]

      Keep watching all the nations 'round,
      Surprised at what will be!
      The men of Babylon will rise
      And conquer to the sea.

      They're restless and as fierce as wolves.
      Their horses paw the ground.
      With violence they conquer all,
      Then flow on like a sound.


[Habakkuk's Question]

O Lord, forever you are God;
Before you all must bow.
You cannot look on evil deeds!
Why are you silent now?

In Babylon they cast their hooks
To catch us like the fish.
They drag us off with nets and shouts,
Our doom their only wish.

      [God's reply]

      Now write down what I say to you,
      My words before their day.
      They may seem slow in coming true;
      They will not be delayed.

      The ones who turn daylight to night
      Will not for long survive.
      The people who with faith do right
      Will be the ones who thrive.




                                       10.9D (or 55.54D)
                                       Bunessan

[God's Song of Promise]

Wealth is deceitful, greedy, and pride-filled.
Mouths of the greedy open like death.
Thus they will conquer nation and nation.
Yet they have been judged; soon they will fail.

The debt of conquest returns with int'rest.
Those who have plundered, plundered will be.
Violent murder turns back upon them.
The silent timbers call down disgrace.

Look at the city built on deception,
Founded on murder, slavery, and pain!
Humiliation, once for your neighbor,
Wear as your garment, clothed in your shame.

You cut the forests; you will be cut down.
Slaughter the wildlife; wolves turn on you.
Faithful in lying, treachery preaching.
God in God's temple silences all.



                                                  CM
                                        Emmanuel 703
					St. Peter 523

[Habakkuk's Prayer]

My God I've heard what you have done
In times and days gone by.
We ask for us new deeds like those
To awe us in our time.

Be merciful despite your wrath.
March down from the high hills.
Your splendor colors all the sky
And earth your praise fulfills.

The lightning flashes from your hand.
The plague strikes like a lance.
The earth quakes when you stamp your feet.
The nations fear your glance.

Were rivers what your anger sparked?
Or deep and raging sea?
You struck the wicked in your rage
And set your people free.

What if the fruit trees do not bear?
And grapes die on the vine?
And if the olive crops all fail?
And all the sheep should die?

I still will glad and joyful be.
No danger I will fear.
God keeps me safe on mountain paths,
My footstep like the deer.



                                November/December, 2018