The Book of Nahum begins.

The city of violence.

It is a warning to the proud and comfort to those

who have been crushed

She saw the storm above the walls She heard

the thunder answer The city built on blood and pride Was

standing in its splendor The chariots flashed like torches And the

gates began to groan For every cry the empire caused Had

risen to the throne. The Lord is slow to anger, but

His power will not sleep. He knows the ones who trust

Him when the waters rise too deep.

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the trouble. He sees

the lowly hiding underneath the rubble But woe to the city

that devoured without shame The judge of all the earth has

called her by her name

The rivers opened through her gates The palace

shook with warning The shields were red, the streets were flamed

But the Lord who

writes the whirlwind knows how to bring them down.

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the trouble. He sees

the lonely hiding underneath the rubble.

But woe to the city that devoured without shame. The judge

of all the earth has called her by her name.

Behold upon the mountains, the feet of one who brings good

tidings to the broken, Peace beneath his wings. No more shall

the wicked pass through Judah's door. The yoke is finally broken.

The rod shall rise no more.

Nineveh lies empty. Where the captains used to call Dust upon

her idols Silence on her walls All who hear shall clap

their hands Not for death, but for release. For the terror

she had scattered has fallen underneath.

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the trouble. He sees

the faithful waiting underneath the rubble.

There is no healing for her womb, no throne for endless

pride But those who trust the Holy One will find

a place to hide

you