(A special psalm by Asaph.)

A prayer for the nation in times of trouble

1Our God, why have you

completely rejected us?

Why are you so angry

with the ones you care for?

2Remember the people

you rescued long ago,

the tribe you chose

to be your very own.

Think of Mount Zion,

your home;

3walk over to the temple

left in ruins for ever

by those who hate us.

4Your enemies roared like lions

in your holy temple,

and they have placed

their banners there.

5It looks like a forest

chopped to pieces.74.5 pieces: One meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 5.

6They used axes and hatchets

to smash the carvings.

7They burnt down your temple

and badly disgraced it.

8They said to themselves,

“We'll crush them!”

Then they burnt every one

of your meeting places

all over the country.

9There are no more miracles

and no more prophets.

Who knows how long

it will be like this?

10Our God, how much longer

will our enemies sneer?

Won't they ever stop

insulting you?

11Why don't you punish them?

Why are you holding back?

12Our God and King,

you have ruled

since ancient times;

you have won victories

everywhere on this earth.

13By your power you made a path74.13: Ex 14.21.

through the sea,

and you smashed the heads

of sea monsters.

14You crushed the heads74.14: Job 41.1; Ps 104.26; Is 27.1.

of the monster Leviathan,74.14 Leviathan: God's victory over this monster sometimes stands for his power over all creation and sometimes for his defeat of Egypt.

then fed him to wild creatures

in the desert.

15You opened the ground

for streams and springs

and dried up mighty rivers.

16You rule the day and the night,

and you put the moon

and the sun in place.

17You made summer and winter

and gave them to the earth.74.17 gave…earth: Or “made boundaries for the earth”.

18Remember your enemies, LORD!

They foolishly sneer

and won't respect you.

19You treat us like pet doves,

but they ill-treat us.

Don't keep forgetting us

and letting us be fed

to those wild animals.

20Remember the agreement

you made with us.

Violent enemies are hiding

in every dark corner

of the earth.

21Don't disappoint those in need

or make them turn from you,

but help the poor and homeless

to shout your praises.

22Do something, God!

Defend yourself.

Remember how those fools

sneer at you all day long.

23Don't forget the loud shouts

of your enemies.