[1] Why, O God, have you permanently rejected us? Why does your anger burn against the sheep of your pasture? [2] Remember your people whom you acquired in ancient times, whom you rescued so they could be your very own nation, as well as Mount Zion, where you dwell. [3] Hurry to the permanent ruins, and to all the damage the enemy has done to the temple. [4] Your enemies roar in the middle of your sanctuary; they set up their battle flags. [5] They invade like lumberjacks swinging their axes in a thick forest. [6] And now they are tearing down all its engravings with axes and crowbars. [7] They set your sanctuary on fire; they desecrate your dwelling place by knocking it to the ground. [8] They say to themselves, "We will oppress all of them." They burn down all the places in the land where people worship God. [9] We do not see any signs of God's presence; there are no longer any prophets, and we have no one to tell us how long this will last. [10] How long, O God, will the adversary hurl insults? Will the enemy blaspheme your name forever? [11] Why do you remain inactive? Intervene and destroy him. [12] But God has been my king from ancient times, performing acts of deliverance on the earth. [13] You destroyed the sea by your strength; you shattered the heads of the sea monster in the water. [14] You crushed the heads of Leviathan; you fed him to the people who live along the coast. [15] You broke open the spring and the stream; you dried up perpetually flowing rivers. [16] You established the cycle of day and night; you put the moon and sun in place. [17] You set up all the boundaries of the earth; you created the cycle of summer and winter. [18] Remember how the enemy hurls insults, O LORD, and how a foolish nation blasphemes your name. [19] Do not hand the life of your dove over to a wild animal. Do not continue to disregard the lives of your oppressed people. [20] Remember your covenant promises, for the dark regions of the earth are full of places where violence rules. [21] Do not let the afflicted be turned back in shame. Let the oppressed and poor praise your name. [22] Rise up, O God. Defend your honor. Remember how fools insult you all day long. [23] Do not disregard what your enemies say, or the unceasing shouts of those who defy you.
