A meditation of Asaph.
1O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?
2Remember your congregation that you purchased of old, that you have redeemed to be the tribe of your inheritance; Mount Zion, where you have resided.
3Pick up your feet toward the perpetual ruins, an enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary.
4Your adversaries have roared in the midst of your meeting place. They have set up their own standards as signs.
5It seems like one lifted up axes in a thicket of the forest.
6Now they smashed all of the Temple’s engraved wall panels with hatchet and hammers.
7They set your sanctuary on fire. They polluted the dwelling place of your name, bringing it to the ground.
8They said in their heart, “Let’s oppress them altogether!” They have burned up all the meeting places of God in the land.
9We do not see any signs for us. There is no longer any prophet, nor is there among us any who knows for how long.
10How long, O God, will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme your name forever?
11Why do you draw back your hand, even your right hand? Take it out of your pocket and consume them!
12Yet God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
13You divided the sea by your strength. You broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters.
14You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces. You gave him as food to people and desert souls.
15You opened up spring and stream. You dried up mighty rivers.
16The day is yours, the night is also yours. You have prepared the light and the sun.
17You have set all the boundaries of the earth. You have made summer and winter.
18Remember this, that the enemy has mocked you, O Yahweh. Foolish people have blasphemed your name.
19Do not deliver the soul of your dove to wild beasts. Do not forget the life of your poor forever.
20Honor your covenant, for haunts of violence fill the dark places of the earth.
21Do not let the oppressed return ashamed. Let the poor and needy praise your name.
22Arise, O God! Plead your own cause. Remember how the foolish man mocks you all day long.
23Do not forget the voice of your adversaries. The tumult of those who rise up against you ascends continually.
REV Bible
