Psalms 74
1 A maskil of Asaph. Why, God, have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?
2 Remember your community, which you acquired long ago, the tribe you redeemed as your inheritance, Mount Zion, where you made your home.
3 Lift your steps toward these everlasting ruins; the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary.
4 Your adversaries roared in the midst of your meeting place; they set up their own signs there as signs.
5 They seemed like people raising axes against a tangle of trees.
6 And now they have smashed all its carved work with axes and hammers.
7 They set fire to your sanctuary; they profaned the dwelling place of your name down to the ground.
8 They said in their hearts, “Let us oppress them all together.” They burned every meeting place of God in the land.
9 We no longer see our signs; there is no prophet anymore, and no one among us knows how long this will last.
10 How long, God, will the adversary insult you? Will the enemy scorn your name forever?
11 Why do you draw back your hand, your right hand? From the middle of your chest, destroy them!
12 God has been my King from long ago; he brings salvation in the midst of the earth.
13 You divided the sea by your might; you broke the heads of the sea monsters over the waters.
14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave him as food to the people who live in the wilderness.
15 You opened springs and streams; you dried up rivers that never run dry.
16 The day is yours, and the night is yours too; you prepared the light and the sun.
17 You set all the boundaries of the earth; you formed summer and winter.
18 Remember this: the enemy has insulted the LORD, and a foolish people has scorned your name.
19 Do not hand the life of your dove over to the beast; do not forget the lives of your poor forever.
20 Look to the covenant, for the dark places of the earth are full of homes of violence.
21 Let the oppressed not return in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name.
22 Rise up, God, defend your cause; remember the insults the foolish person hurls at you all day long.
23 Do not forget the voice of your adversaries, the uproar of those who rise against you, which keeps climbing.
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