Psalms 44 ICB

A Prayer for Help

1 God, we have heard about you.Our ancestors told uswhat you did in their days,in days long ago.

2 With your power you forced the nations out of the land.You placed our ancestors here.You destroyed those other nations.But you made our ancestors grow strong.

3 It wasn’t their swords that took the land.It wasn’t their power that gave them victory.But it was your great power and strength.You were with them because you loved them.

4 My God, you are my King.Your commands led Jacob’s people to victory.

5 With your help we pushed back our enemies.In your name we walked on those who came against us.

6 I don’t trust my bow to help me.My sword can’t save me.

7 You saved us from Egypt.You made our enemies ashamed.

8 We will praise God every day.We will praise your name forever. Selah

9 But you have rejected us and shamed us.You don’t march with our armies anymore.

10 You let our enemies push us back.Our enemies have taken our wealth.

11 You gave us away like sheep to be eaten.You scattered us among the nations.

12 You sold your people for nothing.You made no profit on the sale.

13 You made us a joke to our neighbors.The community laughs and makes fun of us.

14 You made us a joke to the other nations.People shake their heads.

15 I am always in disgrace.I am covered with shame.

16 My enemy is getting evenwith insults and curses.

17 All these things have happened to us,but we have not forgotten you.We have kept our agreement with you.

18 Our hearts haven’t turned away from you.We haven’t stopped following you.

19 But you crushed us in this place where wild dogs live.You covered us with deep darkness.

20 We did not forget our God.We did not lift our hands in prayer to foreign gods.

21 God would have known if we had.He knows what is in our hearts.

22 But for you we are in danger of death all the time.People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed.

23 Wake up, Lord! Why are you sleeping?Get up! Don’t reject us forever.

24 Why are you hidden from us?Have you forgotten our pain and troubles?

25 We have been pushed down into the dirt.We are flat on the ground.

26 Get up and help us.Because of your love, save us.