[1] Our God, our ancestors told us what wonders you worked and we listened carefully. [2] You chased off the nations by causing them trouble with your powerful arm. Then you let our ancestors take over their land. [3] Their strength and weapons were not what won the land and gave them victory! You loved them and fought with your powerful arm and your shining glory. [4] You are my God and King, and you give victory to the people of Jacob. [5] By your great power, we knocked our enemies down and stomped on them. [6] I don't depend on my arrows or my sword to save me. [7] But you saved us from our hateful enemies, and you put them to shame. [8] We boast about you, our God, and we are always grateful. [9] But now you have rejected us; you don't lead us into battle, and we look foolish. [10] You made us retreat, and our enemies have taken everything we own. [11] You let us be slaughtered like sheep, and you scattered us among the nations. [12] You sold your people for little or nothing, and you earned no profit. [13] You made us look foolish to our neighbors, and people who live nearby insult us and sneer. [14] Foreigners joke about us and shake their heads. [15] I am embarrassed every day, and I blush with shame. [16] But others mock and sneer, as they watch my enemies take revenge on me. [17] All of this has happened to us, though we didn't forget you or break our agreement. [18] We always kept you in mind and followed your teaching. [19] But you crushed us, and you covered us with deepest darkness where wild animals live. [20] We did not forget you or lift our hands in prayer to foreign gods. [21] You would have known it because you discover every secret thought. [22] We face death all day for you. We are like sheep on their way to be slaughtered. [23] Wake up! Do something, Lord! Why are you sleeping? Don't desert us forever. [24] Why do you keep looking away? Don't forget our sufferings and all of our troubles. [25] We are flat on the ground, holding on to the dust. [26] Do something! Help us! Show how kind you are and come to our rescue.
