Psalms 74
Psalm 74
Prayer for Israel
A Maskil of Asaph.
1Why have you rejected us forever, God? Why does your anger burn against the sheep of your pasture?23Remember your congregation, which you purchased long ago and redeemed as the tribe for your own possession. Remember Mount Zion where you dwell.4
5Make your way to the perpetual ruins, to all that the enemy has destroyed in the sanctuary.6
7Your adversaries roared in the meeting place where you met with us. They set up their emblems as signs.8
9It was like men in a thicket of trees, wielding axes,10
11then smashing all the carvings with hatchets and picks.12
13They set your sanctuary on fire; they utterly desecrated the dwelling place of your name.14
15They said in their hearts, “Let’s oppress them relentlessly.” They burned every place throughout the land where God met with us.16
17There are no signs for us to see. There is no longer a prophet. And none of us knows how long this will last.18
19God, how long will the enemy mock? Will the foe insult your name forever?20
21Why do you hold back your hand? Stretch out your right hand and destroy them!22
23God my King is from ancient times, performing saving acts on the earth.24
25You divided the sea with your strength; you smashed the heads of the sea monsters in the water;26
27you crushed the heads of Leviathan; you fed him to the creatures of the desert.28
29You opened up springs and streams; you dried up ever-flowing rivers.30
31The day is yours, also the night; you established the moon and the sun.32
33You set all the boundaries of the earth; you made summer and winter.34
35Remember this: the enemy has mocked the Lord, and a foolish people has insulted your name.36
37Do not give to beasts the life of your dove; do not forget the lives of your poor people forever.38
39Consider the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of violence.40
41Do not let the oppressed turn away in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name.42
43Rise up, God, champion your cause! Remember the insults that fools bring against you all day long.44
45Do not forget the clamor of your adversaries, the tumult of your opponents that goes up constantly.46