The earth suffers for the sins of its people, for they have twisted God’s instructions, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant. 6Therefore, a curse consumes the earth.

But my heart is heavy with grief. Weep for me, for I wither away. Deceit still prevails, and treachery is everywhere. 17Terror and traps and snares will be your lot, you people of the earth.

In that day the people will proclaim, “This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!”

You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them. 8 Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name.

If I find briers and thorns growing, I will attack them; I will burn them up— 5unless they turn to me for help. Let them make peace with me;

Those who convict the innocent by their false testimony will disappear. A similar fate awaits those who use trickery to pervert justice and who tell lies to destroy the innocent.

Lord God my Father,

Bring me close and protect me from the deception around me. Help me to keep my gaze on you and not on the noise around me. Your plan is perfect, and I am not able to understand it. Allow my faith to guide me in my thoughts and actions. Help me to trust you wholeheartedly.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen