Study Desk

A Maskil of Asaph.^(a)

Why have You rejected us forever, God? Why does Your anger burn against the sheep of Your pasture?^(b)

Remember Your congregation, which You purchased long ago and redeemed as the tribe for Your own possession.^(c) Remember Mount Zion where You dwell.^(d)

Make Your way^[a] to the everlasting ruins, to all that the enemy has destroyed in the sanctuary.^(e)

Your adversaries roared in the meeting place where You met with us.^[b] They set up their emblems as signs.^(f)

It was like men in a thicket of trees, wielding axes,^(g)

then smashing all the carvings with hatchets and picks.^(h)

They set Your sanctuary on fire; they utterly^[c] desecrated the dwelling place of Your name.⁽ⁱ⁾

They said in their hearts, "Let us oppress them relentlessly." They burned down every place throughout the land where God met with us.^[d](j)

There are no signs for us to see. There is no longer a prophet. And none of us knows how long this will last.^(k)

God, how long will the enemy mock? Will the foe insult Your name forever?^(l)

Why do You hold back Your hand? Stretch out^[e] Your right hand and destroy them!^(m)

God my King is from ancient times, performing saving acts on the earth.⁽ⁿ⁾

You divided the sea with Your strength; You smashed the heads of the sea monsters in the waters;^(o)

You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert.^(p)

You opened up springs and streams;^(q) You dried up ever-flowing rivers.^(r)

The day is Yours, also the night; You established the moon and the sun.^(s)

You set all the boundaries of the earth; You made summer and winter.^(t)

Remember this: the enemy has mocked Yahweh, and a foolish people has insulted Your name.^(u)

Do not give the life of Your dove to beasts;^[f] do not forget the lives of Your poor people forever.^(v)

Consider the covenant,^(w) for the dark places of the land are full of violence.^(x)

Do not let the oppressed turn away in shame; let the poor and needy praise Your name.^(y)

Rise up, God, defend Your cause!^(z) Remember the insults that fools bring against You all day long.^(aa)

Do not forget the clamor of Your adversaries, the tumult of Your opponents that goes up constantly.^(ab)