² Without pity the Lord swallowed up
    all the homes of Jacob’s people.
When he was angry, he tore down
    the forts of the people of Judah.
He brought down their kingdom and princes
    to the ground in dishonor.

³ When he was very angry,
    he took away Israel’s power.
He pulled back his powerful right hand
    as the enemy approached.
His burning anger blazed out in Jacob’s land.
    It burned up everything near it.

⁴ Like an enemy the Lord got his bow ready to use.
    He had a sword in his right hand.
Like an enemy he destroyed
    everything that used to be pleasing to him.
His anger blazed out like fire.
    It burned up the homes in the city of Zion.