1. For thy judgments, O Lord, are great, and thy words cannot be expressed: therefore undisciplined souls have erred.
2. For while the wicked thought to be able to have dominion over the holy nation, they themselves being fettered with the bonds of darkness, and a long night, shut up in their houses, lay there exiled from the eternal providence.
3. And while they thought to lie hid in their obscure sins, they were scattered under a dark veil of forgetfulness, being horribly afraid and troubled with exceeding great astonishment.
4. For neither did the den that held them, keep them from fear: for noises coming down troubled them, and sad visions appearing to them, affrighted them.
5. And no power of fire could give them light, neither could the bright flames of the stars enlighten that horrible night.
6. But there appeared to them a sudden fire, very dreadful: and being struck with the fear of that face, which was not seen, they thought the things which they saw to be worse:
7. And the delusions of their magic art were put down, and their boasting of wisdom was reproachfully rebuked.
8. For they who promised to drive away fears and troubles from a sick soul, were sick themselves of a fear worthy to be laughed at.