Psalm 9 – “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you; I will sing praises to your name, O Most High” (9:1-2).

My enemies fell before you. “You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have erased their names forever and ever” (9:5).

The destruction that has come from these enemies will be forgotten, but “the Lord shall endure forever; he has prepared his throne for judgment. He shall judge the world in righteousness, and he shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness. The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble” (9:6-9).

Psalm 10 – “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In arrogance the wicked persecute the poor, let them be caught in the plots which they have devised” (10:1-2).

Why do the wicked renounce God and say in their hearts, “I shall never be in adversity” (10:6). “He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den; he lies in wait to catch the poor; he catches the poor when he draws him into his net” (10:9).

“Arise, O Lord! O God, lift up your hand! Do not forget the humble” (10:12). You have seen what they do and you must bring the unjust to account. “Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; seek out his wickedness until you find none” (10:15).

Psalm 11 – “In the Lord I put my trust; how can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to the mountains?” (11:1). “For look! The wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow on the string, that they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart” (11:2).

“The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, his gaze tests the sons of men. The Lord tests the righteous but the wicked and the one who loves violence his soul hates” (11:4-5).

1 Thessalonians 3 – Paul says he tried to tell them that there would be times of persecution ahead when he was with them in Thessalonika, but he’s been away from them for some time and he becomes very worried about how they are doing, so he sends his co-worker and friend Timothy to check on them while he remains alone in Athens.

He fears that “the Tempter” might undo all the work he, Paul, has done among them.

But now Timothy has reported back, and he is reassured to hear of their continued faith and love. “[Y]our has been a great comfort to us in the middle of our own troubles and sorrow; now we can breathe again, as you are still holding firm in the Lord” (3:7).

He still would love to see them. “May the Lord be generous in increasing your love and make you love one another and the whole human race as much as we love you” (3:12).