The burden came without a map, A weight no shoulder chose to bear. Habakkuk looked across the city, And asked why heaven seemed unaware. How long shall I cry of violence, And hear no answer in the night? Why show me grief and make me witness The strong devouring what is right? Spoiling and violence stand before me, Strife and contention rise. Law grows numb in the gate of judgment, Truth is surrounded by lies. How long shall I cry? How long will justice wait? The wicked circle round the righteous, And judgment leaves the gate. How long shall I cry? The burden will not move. When silence hangs above the violence, What can the watcher prove? The scroll of law remains among them, But hands refuse its living claim. The sentence twists toward those with power, The poor leave carrying the blame. No thunder answers, No army turns, No courtroom straightens, The city burns. How long shall I cry? How long will justice wait? The wicked circle round the righteous, And judgment leaves the gate. How long shall I cry? The prophet stays awake, Holding the question before the LORD Until the silence breaks. The first prayer ended Without an answer yet.