Many years ago, I heard a wise teacher say, "I don't know what woe is, but I don't want any of it." Years later, I still agree with that statement.  The writer is trying to convey the nature of rebellion against God.  Whether it is done with direct intention or indirectly, the end result is the same.  I was having a conversation the other day with a neighbor who is far too optimistic about the spiritual nature of the world in which we live.  He seems to think that humanity can be redeemed by the innate good nature of man.  I begged to differ for a few reasons.  One is that if man could redeem itself then there would have been no need for a sacrifice of the passover lamb, neither temporarily nor ultimately in the person of Christ.  Secondly, according to the scriptures in  II Cor. 4:4, Satan is the god of this world and just like he tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he is still handing out temporary gifts.  Most people don't have the intestinal fortitude nor the Word of God hidden in their heart like Jesus to resist the devil and his offerings.  As such, they are drawn away from the truth.  The further they are from the truth, the darker life is for them, the darker their intentions towards their fellow man become.  Remember, there is a way which seems right to man, but this way leads to destruction (Prov. 14).

The scripture offers us hope, but not rescue.  While the afflictions of the righteous are many, the Lord promises to deliver us, the righteous, out of them all (Ps. 34:19). This is the kind of attentiveness we who believe in the Lord can depend upon.  As great and fascinating as the God of our salvation is, he is faithful in his renewed mercies every day to come see about us.  The psalmist calls it the steadfast love which reminds me of a song we used to sing years ago, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning.  Great is thy faithfulness oh Lord.  Great is they faithfulness."