1 This is my prayer:
2 I know your reputation, Lord,and I am amazedat what you have done.Please turn from your angerand be merciful;do for us what you didfor our ancestors.
3 You are the same Holy Godwho came from Temanand Paran to help us.The brightness of your glorycovered the heavens,and your praises were heardeverywhere on earth.
4 Your glory shone like the sun,and light flashed from your hands,hiding your mighty power.
5 Dreadful diseases and plaguesmarched in frontand followed behind.
6 When you stopped,the earth shook;when you stared,nations trembled;when you walkedalong your ancient paths,eternal mountains and hillscrumbled and collapsed.
7 The tents of desert tribesin Cushan and Midianwere ripped apart.
8 Our Lord, were you angrywith the monstersof the deep?You attacked in your chariotand wiped them out.
9 Your arrows were readyand obeyed your commands.You split the earth apartwith rivers and streams;
10 mountains trembledat the sight of you;rain poured from the clouds;ocean waves roared and rose.
11 The sun and moon stood still,while your arrows and spearsflashed like lightning.
12 In your furious anger,you trampled on nations
13 to rescue your peopleand save your chosen one.You crushed a nation's rulerand stripped his evil kingdomof its power.
14 His troops had come like a storm,hoping to scatter usand glad to gobble us up.To them we were refugeesin hiding—but you smashed their headswith their own weapons.
15 Then your chariots churnedthe waters of the sea.
16 When I heard this message,I felt weak from fear,and my lips quivered.My bones seemed to melt,and I stumbled around.But I will patiently wait.Someday those vicious enemieswill be struck by disaster.
17 Fig trees may no longer bloom,or vineyards produce grapes;olive trees may be fruitless,and harvest time a failure;sheep pens may be empty,and cattle stalls vacant—
18 but I will still celebratebecause the Lord Godis my Savior.
19 The Lord gives me strength.He makes my feet as sureas those of a deer,and he helps me standon the mountains.To the music director:Use stringed instruments.