• An Appeal against the Devastation of the Land by the Enemy.

  • 1 God, why have You rejected us forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?
  • 2 Remember Your congregation, which You purchased of old, Which You have redeemed to be the tribe of Your inheritance; And this Mount Zion, where You have dwelt.
  • 3 Step toward the irreparable ruins; The enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary.
  • 4 Your adversaries have roared in the midst of Your meeting place; They have set up their own signs as signs.
  • 5 It seems like one bringing up His axe into a forest of trees.
  • 6 And now they break down all its carved work With axe and hammers.
  • 7 They have burned Your sanctuary to the ground; They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name.
  • 8 They said in their heart, “Let’s completely subdue them.” They have burned all the meeting places of God in the land.
  • 9 We do not see our signs; There is no longer any prophet, Nor is there anyone among us who knows how long.
  • 10 How long, God, will the enemy taunt You? Shall the enemy treat Your name disrespectfully forever?
  • 11 Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Extend it from Your chest and destroy them!
  • 12 Yet God is my King from long ago, Who performs acts of salvation in the midst of the earth.
  • 13 You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters.
  • 14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.
  • 15 You broke open springs and torrents; You dried up ever-flowing streams.
  • 16 Yours is the day, Yours also is the night; You have prepared the light and the sun.
  • 17 You have established all the boundaries of the earth; You have created summer and winter.
  • 18 Remember this, Lord, that the enemy has taunted You, And a foolish people has treated Your name disrespectfully.
  • 19 Do not give the soul of Your turtledove to the wild animal; Do not forget the life of Your afflicted forever.
  • 20 Consider the covenant; For the dark places of the land are full of the places of violence.
  • 21 May the oppressed person not return dishonored; May the afflicted and the needy praise Your name.
  • 22 Arise, God, and plead Your own cause; Remember how the foolish person taunts You all day long.
  • 23 Do not forget the voice of Your adversaries, The uproar of those who rise against You, which ascends continually.