To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
This verse comes from the "Song of Moses," a poem Moses sang to the Israelites near the very end of his life, just before his death. Moses is recounting God's faithfulness and warning of what awaits those who turn against Him and His people. Here, God speaks directly — declaring that vengeance and judgment belong exclusively to Him. The phrase "their foot will slip" is a vivid image of sudden, unexpected downfall. The verse assures listeners that God sees every injustice and will ultimately act, even when justice seems delayed or absent.
Lord, I confess I want justice on my terms and my timeline. Help me trust that You see every wrong done — to me and to others — and that You will act. Teach me to release what I've been gripping so tightly, and give me the freedom that comes from letting You carry what I was never meant to hold. Amen.
There's someone you haven't forgiven. Maybe you don't even call it unforgiveness — you just replay what they did, quietly cataloging the ways they got away with it. Moses, who watched Pharaoh's armies chase down freed slaves and had seen his people suffer for generations, records God's own words here: "I will repay." Not as a cold threat — but as a transfer. When God says vengeance is His, He's not dismissing your pain. He's taking it off your shoulders. The hard part is that phrase "in due time." Not your timeline. Not by Tuesday. Trusting God with justice means releasing your grip on the outcome — and that is genuinely costly. You don't have to pretend the wrong didn't happen. But you can stop being the one who carries it.
What does it mean that vengeance "belongs to God"? How does that shift the way you think about justice and wrongdoing?
Is there a situation in your life where you find it hard to let go of the desire for payback — and what does holding onto that actually cost you?
Does this verse call us to passivity in the face of injustice, or does it call us to something else? How do you tell the difference between trusting God and looking the other way?
How does genuinely believing God will act change the way you treat the person who hurt you — in the next conversation, the next encounter?
What is one specific grievance you could take to God this week and consciously release — not because it didn't matter, but because you're choosing to let Him carry it?
For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Hebrews 10:30
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2 Peter 3:10
God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious ; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
Nahum 1:2
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2 Peter 3:8
But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.
Jeremiah 20:11
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
Proverbs 20:22
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
2 Peter 2:3
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Romans 12:19
'Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their disaster is at hand, And their doom hurries to meet them.'
AMP
Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’
ESV
'Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them.'
NASB
It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.”
NIV
Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.’
NKJV
I will take revenge; I will pay them back. In due time their feet will slip. Their day of disaster will arrive, and their destiny will overtake them.’
NLT
I'm in charge of vengeance and payback, just waiting for them to slip up; And the day of their doom is just around the corner, sudden and swift and sure.
MSG