You are the judge of all people. Judge in my favor, O LORD; you know that I am innocent.

He calls heaven and earth as witnesses to see him judge his people.

when the LORD comes to rule the earth. He will rule the peoples of the world with justice and fairness.

The LORD will defend his people; he will take pity on his servants.

Whenever the LORD gave Israel a leader, the LORD would help that leader and would save the people from their enemies as long as that leader lived. The LORD would have mercy on them because they groaned under their suffering and oppression.

But the people of Israel said to the LORD, "We have sinned. Do whatever you like, but please, save us today."

So they got rid of their foreign gods and worshiped the LORD; and he became troubled over Israel's distress.

How much longer will your anger last? Have pity, O LORD, on your servants!

For their sake he remembered his covenant, and because of his great love he relented.

"Israel, you are my dearest child, the one I love best. Whenever I mention your name, I think of you with love. My heart goes out to you; I will be merciful.

Perhaps the LORD your God will change his mind and bless you with abundant crops. Then you can offer him grain and wine.

The LORD changed his mind and said, "What you saw will not take place."

The LORD changed his mind again and said, "This will not take place either."

Because of this I will bring disaster on your dynasty and will kill all your male descendants, young and old alike. I will get rid of your family; they will be swept away like dung.

So the LORD says to you, 'I will bring disaster on you. I will do away with you and get rid of every male in your family, young and old alike.

All of Ahab's family and descendants are to die; I will get rid of every male in his family, young and old alike.

The LORD saw the terrible suffering of the Israelites; there was no one at all to help them.