Psalm 44:1-26 VOICE

[1] With our own ears, O God, we have heard the stories our ancestors recited of Your deeds in their days, days long past- how You saved the day. [2] With a powerful hand, You drove the nations from this land, but then You planted our parents here. You fought for us against people of this land; You set our parents free to enjoy its goodness. [3] They did not win the land with their swords. It wasn't their strength that won them victory. It was Your strength-Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your presence that gave them success, for You loved them. [4] You are my King, my God! You ordained victories for Jacob and his people! [5] You are our victory, pushing back the enemy; at the sound of Your name, we crush the opposition. [6] I don't trust in my weapons or in my strength to win me victory. [7] But You rescue us from our foes; You shame our enemies. [8] We shout Your name all day long; we will praise Your name forever! [pause] [9] But wait, God, where have You gone? Why have You shamed us? Why do our armies stand alone? [10] Without Your help we must retreat from our enemy, and the very ones who despise us pillage us. [11] You have offered us up to our enemies, like sheep to the slaughter, meat for their feast, and You have dispersed us among the nations. [12] You sold Your people for mere pennies, and You gained nothing from the deal. [13] You have made us a joke to our friends and neighbors, mocked and ridiculed by all those around us. [14] You have brought us infamy among the nations and made us an object of scorn and laughter to our neighbors. [15] Disgrace follows me everywhere I go; I am constantly embarrassed. Shame is written across my face [16] Because of the taunting and berating of those who are against me, because the enemy seeks revenge against me. [17] All this has happened to us, yet we have never forgotten You; we have not broken Your covenant with us. [18] Our hearts stayed true to You; we have never left Your path; we follow on. [19] Yet You have tested us, left us defeated in a land of jackals, and shrouded us with the veil of death. [20] Even if we had forgotten the name of our God or offered praise to another god, [21] Would not the True God have known it? For He can see the hidden places of our hearts. [22] On Your behalf, our lives are endangered constantly; we are like sheep awaiting slaughter. [23] Wake up, Lord! Why do You slumber? Get up! Do not reject us any longer! [24] Why are You still hiding from us? Why are You still ignoring our suffering and trouble? [25] Look and You will see our souls now dwell in the dust; our bodies hug the earth. [26] Rise up and help us; restore us for the sake of Your boundless love.