Psalm 74- 1
- Psalm 74 A maskil [1] of Asaph.
- 1
- Why have you rejected us forever, O God? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?
- 2
- Remember the people you purchased of old, the tribe of your inheritance, whom you redeemed-- Mount Zion, where you dwelt.
- 3
- Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.
- 4
- Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs.
- 5
- They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees.
- 6
- They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets.
- 7
- They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.
- 8
- They said in their hearts, "We will crush them completely!" They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.
- 9
- We are given no miraculous signs; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.
- 10
- How long will the enemy mock you, O God? Will the foe revile your name forever?
- 11
- Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!
- 12
- But you, O God, are my king from of old; you bring salvation upon the earth.
- 13
- It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
- 14
- It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert.
- 15
- It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever flowing rivers.
- 16
- The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.
- 17
- It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.
- 18
- Remember how the enemy has mocked you, O LORD, how foolish people have reviled your name.
- 19
- Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever.
- 20
- Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.
- 21
- Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name.
- 22
- Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long.
- 23
- Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.
- [Title: Probably a literary or musical term