"For until righteousness returns, judgment will turn back, and after it all the upright in heart. They said to Samuel the small one, 'What is it?' And he replied, 'And after it all the upright in heart.' The reward of the righteous is behind them, while that of the wicked is placed before them, as it is said (Deuteronomy 7:10), 'And He pays those who hate Him.'
Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai said, 'When a person commits a sin and the angels accuse him, saying, "Master of the Universe, (Psalms 144:5) "Bow Your heavens, O Lord, and come down; touch the mountains and they shall smoke,"' the Holy One, Blessed be He, responds, 'This man is difficult in his time, but if he repents, I will accept him.' Who will rise up for me against evildoers? Who will stand for me against workers of iniquity?
Were it not for the help of the Lord, I would be lost. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said, 'Wherever it is said, "Were it not for the merit of Abraham," as it is said (Genesis 31:42), "Had not the God of my father, the God of Abraham,"' Zevudah ben Levi answered and said, 'But isn't it written (Psalms 124:2), "If it had not been for the Lord who was on our side,"' indicating that it was also in the merit of our forefathers that we were saved.
Rabbi Levi said, 'Wherever it is said, "Were it not for the merit of the Torah," it is also said (Psalms 119:92), "Were Your law not my delight."' And through the merit of faith, as it is said (Psalms 27:13), "Were it not for my belief in seeing the goodness of the Lord."' Rabbi Yochanan said, 'Wherever it is said, "Were it not for His Name," it is said (Psalms 124:1), "Were it not for the Lord who was on our side."'...