1God, why have you rejected us forever?
Why does your anger burn against the sheep of your pasture?

2Call to mind your people, whom you purchased in ancient times,
the tribe whom you have redeemed to be your own heritage,
and Mount Zion, where you live.

3Come look at the complete ruins,
all the damage that the enemy has done in the holy place.

4Your adversaries roared in the middle of your appointed place;
they set up their battle flags.

5They hacked away with axes
as in a thick forest.

6They smashed and broke down all the engravings;
they broke them with axes and hammers.

7They set your sanctuary on fire;
they desecrated where you live, knocking it to the ground.

8They said in their hearts, “We will destroy them all.”
They burned up all of your meeting places in the land.

9We do not see any more signs;
there is no prophet any more,
and no one among us knows how long this will last.

10How long, God, will the enemy throw insults at you?
Will the enemy blaspheme your name forever?

11Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
Take your right hand from your garment and destroy them.

12Yet God has been my king from ancient times,
bringing salvation on the earth.

13You divided the sea by your strength;
you smashed the heads of the sea monsters in the waters.

14You crushed the heads of leviathan;
you fed him to those living in the wilderness.

15You broke open springs and streams;
you dried up flowing rivers.

16The day is yours, and the night is yours also;
you set the sun and moon in place.

17You have set all the borders of the earth;
you have made summer and winter.

18Call to mind how the enemy hurled insults at you, Yahweh,
and that a foolish people has blasphemed your name.

19Do not give the life of your dove to a wild animal.
Do not forget forever the life of your oppressed people.

20Remember your covenant,
for the dark regions of the land are full of places of violence.

21Do not let the oppressed be turned back in shame;
let the poor and oppressed praise your name.

22Arise, God; defend your own honor;
call to mind how fools insult you all day long.

23Do not forget the voice of your adversaries
or the uproar of those who continually defy you.