[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 rod of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed, this Mount Zion, where You have lived. [3] Move Your footsteps to the perpetual desolations, to all the harm the enemy has done in the sanctuary. [4] Your enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place; they set up their miracles for signs. [5] They seem like men who lift up axes on a thicket of trees. [6] But now they strike down its carved work altogether with axes and hammers. [7] They have cast fire into Your sanctuary; they have defiled the dwelling place of Your name to the ground. [8] They said in their hearts, "Let us destroy them together." 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 among us any who knows how long. [10] O God, how long will the adversary scorn? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever? [11] Why do You withdraw Your hand, Your right hand? Draw it out of Your bosom and destroy them! [12] For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. [13] You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the dragons on the waters. [14] You crushed the heads of Leviathan in pieces, and gave him for food to the people inhabiting the wilderness. [15] You split the fountain and the flood; You dried up ever-flowing rivers. [16] The day is Yours, the night also is Yours; You have prepared the light and the sun. [17] You have established all the borders of the earth; You have made summer and winter. [18] Remember this, that the enemy has scorned, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed Your name. [19] Do not give the life of Your turtledove to a wild animal; do not forget the life of Your poor forever. [20] Have regard for the covenant; for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of violence. [21] May the oppressed not return ashamed; may the poor and needy praise Your name. [22] Arise, O God, plead Your own cause; remember how the fool insults You daily. [23] Do not forget the voice of Your enemies, the tumult of those who rise up against You continually.
