God: Providence of, Mysterious and Misinterpreted

If I am guilty, woe to me! And even if I am righteous, I cannot lift my head. I am full of shame and aware of my affliction.

The tents of robbers are safe, and those who provoke God are secure—those who carry their god in their hands.

Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?

“Why does the Almighty not reserve times for judgment? Why may those who know Him never see His days? …

Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?

He is secure in his ways at all times; Your lofty judgments are far from him; he sneers at all his foes.

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. …

Behold, these are the wicked—always carefree as they increase their wealth. …

Remember the briefness of my lifespan! For what futility You have created all men!

Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.

In my futile life I have seen both of these: A righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.

Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence. …

It is the same for all: There is a common fate for the righteous and the wicked, for the good and the bad, for the clean and the unclean, for the one who sacrifices and the one who does not. As it is for the good, so it is for the sinner; as it is for the one who makes a vow, so it is for the one who refuses to take a vow.

I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all.

Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?

You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.

All who found them devoured them, and their enemies said, ‘We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD, their true pasture, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’

Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, but the wicked will continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.

But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD or understand His plan, for He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save?

Why do You make me see iniquity? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict abounds.

Then they sweep by like the wind and pass through. They are guilty; their own strength is their god.”

Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?

You have made men like the fish of the sea, like creeping things that have no ruler.

You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the LORD of Hosts?

So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’”