A maskil[412] of Asaph.
<1> God, why have you turned away from us for so long?
Why are you so angry with us, your own flock?
<2> Remember the people you bought so long ago.
You saved us, and we belong to you.
Remember Mount Zion,[413]
the place where you lived.
<3> God, come walk through these ancient ruins.
Come back to the Holy Place
that the enemy destroyed.
<4> The enemy shouted their war cries in the Temple.[414]
They put up their flags there to show they had won the war.<5> Their soldiers attacked the doors,
like workmen chopping down trees.
<6> Using axes and hatchets,
they smashed the carved panels in your Temple.
<7> They burned your Holy Place.
That Temple was built to honor your name,
but they pulled it down to the ground.
<8> The enemy decided to crush us completely.
They burned every holy place[415]
in the country.
<9> We do not see any of our signs.[416]
There are no more prophets.
No one knows how long this will last.
<10> God, how much longer will the enemy make fun of us?
Will you let them insult your name forever?
<11> Why won't you help us?
Use your power to defeat our enemies!
<12> God, you have been our King for a long time.
You helped us win many battles in this country.
<13> You used your great power,
to split open the sea.
<14> You defeated the great sea monsters!
You smashed the heads of Leviathan[417]
and left his body for the animals to eat.
<15> You make the springs and rivers flow,
and you make the rivers dry up.
<16> You control the day and the night.
You made the moon and the sun.
<17> You set the limits for everything on earth.
And you created summer and winter.
<18> Lord, remember,
the enemy insulted you!
Those foolish people hate your name!
<19> Don't let those animals take your dove!
Don't forget your poor people forever.
<20> Remember the agreement you gave us!
There is violence in every dark place
in this land.
<21> Your people were treated badly.
Don't let them be hurt any more.
Your poor, helpless people praise you.
<22> God, get up and defend yourself!
Remember, those fools challenged you!
<23> Don't forget the shouts of your enemies.
They insulted you again and again.
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.