[1] To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah. [2] We have heard
with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what deeds thou didst
perform in their days, in the days of old: [3] thou with thy own hand didst
drive out the nations, but them thou didst plant; thou didst afflict the
peoples, but them thou didst set free; [4] for not by their own sword did
they win the land, nor did their own arm give them victory; but thy right
hand, and thy arm, and the light of thy countenance; for thou didst delight
in them. [5] Thou art my King and my God, who ordainest victories for
Jacob. [6] Through thee we push down our foes; through thy name we tread
down our assailants. [7] For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword
save me. [8] But thou hast saved us from our foes, and hast put to
confusion those who hate us. [9] In God we have boasted continually, and we
will give thanks to thy name for ever. [Selah] [10] Yet thou hast cast us
off and abased us, and hast not gone out with our armies. [11] Thou hast
made us turn back from the foe; and our enemies have gotten spoil. [12]
Thou hast made us like sheep for slaughter, and hast scattered us among the
nations. [13] Thou hast sold thy people for a trifle, demanding no high
price for them. [14] Thou hast made us the taunt of our neighbors, the
derision and scorn of those about us. [15] Thou hast made us a byword among
the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples. [16] All day long my
disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face, [17] at the words of
the taunters and revilers, at the sight of the enemy and the avenger. [18]
All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten thee, or been false
to thy covenant. [19] Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps
departed from thy way, [20] that thou shouldst have broken us in the place
of jackals, and covered us with deep darkness. [21] If we had forgotten the
name of our God, or spread forth our hands to a strange god, [22] would not
God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart. [23] Nay, for thy
sake we are slain all the day long, and accounted as sheep for the
slaughter. [24] Rouse thyself! Why sleepest thou, O Lord? Awake! Do not
cast us off for ever! [25] Why dost thou hide thy face? Why dost thou
forget our affliction and oppression? [26] For our soul is bowed down to
the dust; our body cleaves to the ground. [ (Psalms 44:27) Rise up, come to
our help! Deliver us for the sake of thy steadfast love! ]
