[1] O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture? [2] Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed- This Mount Zion where You have dwelt. [3] Lift up Your feet to the perpetual desolations. The enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary. [4] Your enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place; They set up their banners for signs. [5] They seem like men who lift up Axes among the thick trees. [6] And now they break down its carved work, all at once, With axes and hammers. [7] They have set fire to Your sanctuary; They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name to the ground. [8] They said in their hearts, "Let us destroy them altogether." They have burned up 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 any among us who knows how long. [10] O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever? [11] Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them. [12] For God is my King from of old, Working salvation in the midst of the earth. [13] You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters. [14] You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces, And gave him as food to the people inhabiting the wilderness. [15] You broke open the fountain and the flood; You dried up mighty rivers. [16] The day is Yours, the night also is Yours; You have prepared the light and the sun. [17] You have set all the borders of the earth; You have made summer and winter. [18] Remember this, that the enemy has reproached, O LORD, And that a foolish people has blasphemed Your name. [19] Oh, do not deliver the life of Your turtledove to the wild beast! Do not forget the life of Your poor forever. [20] Have respect to the covenant; For the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty. [21] Oh, do not let the oppressed return ashamed! Let the poor and needy praise Your name. [22] Arise, O God, plead Your own cause; Remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily. [23] Do not forget the voice of Your enemies; The tumult of those who rise up against You increases continually.
