Psalm 74
A Maskil of Asaph.
O God, why have we been rejected?
How great is this distance you keep!
God, why does your anger still smolder
against us, your own pastured sheep?
Remember the nation you purchased;
your heirloom — the pride you once felt!
Redeeming your special possession —
Mount Zion, where you had once dwelt.
Now walk through the city's sad ruins;
your temple, destroyed by your foe.
They roar where we once had assembled,
unfurled their banners for show.
Behaving like men wielding axes,
to cut down a forest of trees;
they smashed all the carved and curved woodwork
with hammers and hatchets with ease.
They burned down your own sanctuary;
defiled what once bore your name.
They said in their heart, Let's subdue them,
then set all your places aflame.
We see no more signs or your prophets,
nor know when we'll see them again.
How long will your enemies mock you?
And, when will their blaspheming end?
Why hold back your right hand that's mighty?
Destroy them with all of your worth!
Yet, God is my King from past ages,
providing salvation to earth.
By your strength the sea was divided;
you shattered the sea monster's head.
Leviathan — you broke in pieces,
so, wilderness beasts could be fed.
You opened the springs and the fountains;
closed rivers that never ran dry.
You own both the day and the nighttime;
placed sun and the moon in the sky.
Earth's boundaries — you have established;
both summer and winter — you formed.
Remember how your foes reproached you;
how your name, by fools, has been scorned.
Do not let wild beasts overtake me,
for I'm like a dove to their threat;
do not let the lives of your people
be something you'd ever forget.
Remember your promises given;
earth's full of man's violence, and dark.
Don't let the oppressed be dishonored;
let poor praise your name from their heart.
Rise up, God! Your cause needs defending!
Remember, fools taunt you all day.
Forget not your enemies' clamor;
their uproar ascending your way.
O God, why have we been rejected?
How great is this distance you keep!
God, why does your anger still smolder
against us, your own pastured sheep?
Remember the nation you purchased;
your heirloom — the pride you once felt!
Redeeming your special possession —
Mount Zion, where you had once dwelt.
Now walk through the city's sad ruins;
your temple, destroyed by your foe.
They roar where we once had assembled,
unfurled their banners for show.
Behaving like men wielding axes,
to cut down a forest of trees;
they smashed all the carved and curved woodwork
with hammers and hatchets with ease.
They burned down your own sanctuary;
defiled what once bore your name.
They said in their heart, Let's subdue them,
then set all your places aflame.
We see no more signs or your prophets,
nor know when we'll see them again.
How long will your enemies mock you?
And, when will their blaspheming end?
Why hold back your right hand that's mighty?
Destroy them with all of your worth!
Yet, God is my King from past ages,
providing salvation to earth.
By your strength the sea was divided;
you shattered the sea monster's head.
Leviathan — you broke in pieces,
so, wilderness beasts could be fed.
You opened the springs and the fountains;
closed rivers that never ran dry.
You own both the day and the nighttime;
placed sun and the moon in the sky.
Earth's boundaries — you have established;
both summer and winter — you formed.
Remember how your foes reproached you;
how your name, by fools, has been scorned.
Do not let wild beasts overtake me,
for I'm like a dove to their threat;
do not let the lives of your people
be something you'd ever forget.
Remember your promises given;
earth's full of man's violence, and dark.
Don't let the oppressed be dishonored;
let poor praise your name from their heart.
Rise up, God! Your cause needs defending!
Remember, fools taunt you all day.
Forget not your enemies' clamor;
their uproar ascending your way.
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