In every city throughout Judah he set up high places to offer sacrifices to other gods. He angered the Lord God of his ancestors.

(3:33) ¹  Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall he became angry and was quite upset. He derided the Jews,

(4:1) ¹  When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people of Ashdod heard that the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem ²  had moved ahead and that the breaches had begun to be closed, they were very angry.

You bring new witnesses ¹  against me, and increase your anger against me; relief troops ²  come against me.

But ¹  the tents of robbers are peaceful, and those who provoke God are confident ²  – who carry their god in their hands. ³ 

He will not escape the darkness; ¹  a flame will wither his shoots and he will depart by the breath of God’s mouth. ² 

“How often ¹  is the lamp of the wicked extinguished? How often does their ²  misfortune come upon them? How often does God apportion pain ³  to them ⁴  in his anger?

Stand up angrily, ¹  Lord! Rise up with raging fury against my enemies! ²  Wake up for my sake and execute the judgment you have decreed for them! ³ 

The depths ¹  of the sea ²  were exposed; the inner regions ³  of the world were uncovered by ⁴  your battle cry, ⁵  Lord, by the powerful breath from your nose. ⁶ 

For his anger lasts only a brief moment, and his good favor restores one’s life. ¹  One may experience sorrow during the night, but joy arrives in the morning. ² 

You severely discipline people for their sins; ¹  like a moth you slowly devour their strength. ²  Surely all people are a mere vapor. (Selah)

A well-written song ²  by Asaph. Why, O God, have you permanently rejected us? ³  Why does your anger burn ⁴  against the sheep of your pasture?

He sent his anger in full force; ¹  he did not spare them from death; he handed their lives over to destruction. ² 

I am oppressed and have been on the verge of death since my youth. ¹  I have been subjected to your horrors and am numb with pain. ² 

Our ancestors in Egypt failed to appreciate your miraculous deeds, they failed to remember your many acts of loyal love, and they rebelled at the sea, by the Red Sea. ¹ 

If the anger ¹  of the ruler flares up ²  against you, do not resign ³  from your position, ⁴  for a calm ⁵  response ⁶  can undo ⁷  great offenses.

Therefore, the sovereign Lord who commands armies, ¹  the powerful ruler of Israel, ²  says this: “Ah, I will seek vengeance ³  against my adversaries, I will take revenge against my enemies. ⁴ 

Jerusalem certainly stumbles, Judah falls, for their words and their actions offend the Lord; ¹  they rebel against his royal authority. ² 

What will you do on judgment day, ¹  when destruction arrives from a distant place? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your wealth?

At that time ¹  you will say: “I praise you, O Lord, for even though you were angry with me, your anger subsided, and you consoled me.