1 God, why have you rejected us for so long?Why are you angry with us, the sheep of your pasture?
2 Remember the people you bought long ago.You saved us. We are your very own.You live on Mount Zion.
3 Make your way through these old ruins.The enemy wrecked everything in the Temple.
4 Those who were against you shouted in your meeting place.They raised their flags there.
5 They came with axes raisedas if to cut down a forest of trees.
6 They smashed the carved panelswith their axes and hatchets.
7 They burned your Temple to the ground.They have made the place where you live unclean.
8 They thought, “We will completely crush them!”They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.
9 We do not see any signs.There are no more prophets.And no one knows how long this will last.
10 God, how much longer will the enemy make fun of you?Will they insult you forever?
11 Why do you hold back your power?Bring your power out in the open and destroy them!
12 God, you have been our king for a long time.You have saved this country.
13 You split open the sea by your power.You broke the heads of the sea monster.
14 You smashed the heads of the monster Leviathan.You gave him to the desert creatures as food.
15 You opened up the springs and streams.And you made the rivers run dry.
16 Both the day and the night are yours.You made the sun and the moon.
17 You made all the limits on the earth.You created summer and winter.
18 Lord, remember how the enemy insulted you.Remember how those foolish people turned away from you.
19 Do not give us, your doves, to those wild animals.Never forget your poor people.
20 Remember the agreement you made with usbecause violence fills every dark corner of this land.
21 Do not let your suffering people be disgraced.The poor and helpless people praise you.
22 God, come and defend yourself.Remember the insults that come from those foolish people all day long.
23 Don’t forget what your enemies said.Don’t forget their roar as they rise against you always.