New Living Translation

Psalms • Chapter 74

1 O God (Elohim), why have you rejected us so long?<br>Why is your anger so intense against the sheep of your own pasture?<br> 2 Remember that we are the people you chose long ago,<br>the tribe you redeemed as your own special possession!<br>And remember Jerusalem, your home here on earth.<br> 3 Walk through the awful ruins of the city;<br>see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary.<br> 4 There your enemies shouted their victorious battle cries;<br>there they set up their battle standards.<br> 5 They swung their axes<br>like woodcutters in a forest.<br> 6 With axes and picks,<br>they smashed the carved paneling.<br> 7 They burned your sanctuary to the ground.<br>They defiled the place that bears your name.<br> 8 Then they thought, “Let’s destroy everything!”<br>So they burned down all the places where God (Elohim) was worshiped.<br> 9 We no longer see your miraculous signs.<br>All the prophets are gone,<br>and no one can tell us when it will end.<br> 10 How long, O God (Elohim), will you allow our enemies to insult you?<br>Will you let them dishonor your name forever?<br> 11 Why do you hold back your strong right hand?<br>Unleash your powerful fist and destroy them.<br> 12 You, O God (Elohim), are my king from ages past,<br>bringing salvation to the earth.<br> 13 You split the sea by your strength<br>and smashed the heads of the sea monsters.<br> 14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan<br>and let the desert animals eat him.<br> 15 You caused the springs and streams to gush forth,<br>and you dried up rivers that never run dry.<br> 16 Both day and night belong to you;<br>you made the starlight and the sun.<br> 17 You set the boundaries of the earth,<br>and you made both summer and winter.<br> 18 See how these enemies insult you, LORD.<br>A foolish nation has dishonored your name.<br> 19 Don’t let these wild beasts destroy your turtledoves.<br>Don’t forget your suffering people forever.<br> 20 Remember your covenant promises,<br>for the land is full of darkness and violence!<br> 21 Don’t let the downtrodden be humiliated again.<br>Instead, let the poor and needy praise your name.<br> 22 Arise, O God (Elohim), and defend your cause.<br>Remember how these fools insult you all day long.<br> 23 Don’t overlook what your enemies have said<br>or their growing uproar.<br>