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Zephaniah 2:4-3:8

He Will Stretch Out His Hand

Lyrics · Zephaniah

He Will Stretch Out His Hand

Zephaniah 2:4-3:8

[West] Gaza is forsaken, Ashkelon made still, Ashdod driven out at noon from the hill. Ekron uprooted, the seacoast made bare, The remnant of Judah will pasture there. [East] Moab's reproach and Ammon's proud threat Return like Sodom, a wasteland of nettles. They magnified themselves against God's own land; Their idols grow lean, no boasting can stand. [South] The sword reaches Cush in the far-stretching plain, No distance can cancel the measure of gain. [North] He stretches his hand against Assyria's crown, Makes Nineveh dry where the rivers ran down. Pelican and owl rest high in the beams, A city that said, “None beside me,” now dreams Only in ruin, with beasts at the gate, Every passer hisses at desolate state. [Chorus] He will stretch out his hand, West, east, south, and north. The proud city learns what its violence is worth. No coast and no fortress can shelter a throne That magnifies self and forgets God alone. He will stretch out his hand, And the map becomes witness: The Judge of the nations is not moved by distance. [Jerusalem Movement] Woe to the filthy, polluted, oppressing city, She obeyed not the voice and received no correction. Princes are lions, judges are wolves, Prophets are light, priests violate holy things. [Bridge] The just LORD remains in the middle, Morning by morning he brings judgment to light. Cities were cut off, towers desolated, Yet the corrupt rose early to ruin their ways. [Final Chorus] He will stretch out his hand, And gather the kingdoms to pour out the fire. The proud city learns the end of desire. No coast and no fortress can shelter a throne That magnifies self and forgets God alone. He will stretch out his hand, West, east, south, and north; The earth bears the weight of the Judge coming forth. [Coda] Every direction led back To the same righteous throne.