[1] Maschil. Of Asaph. Of God, why have you put us away from you for ever?
why is the fire of your wrath smoking against the sheep who are your care?
[2] Keep in mind your band of worshippers, for whom you gave payment in the
days which are past, whom you took for yourself as the people of your
heritage; even this mountain of Zion, which has been your resting-place.
[3] Go up and see the unending destruction; all the evil which your haters
have done in the holy place; [4] Sending out their voices like lions among
your worshippers; they have put up their signs to be seen. [5] They are
cutting down, like a man whose blade is lifted up against the thick trees.
[6] Your doors are broken down with hammers and iron blades. [7] They have
put on fire your holy place; they have made the place of your name unclean,
pulling it down to the earth. [8] They have said in their hearts, Let us
put an end to them all together; they have given over to the fire all God's
places of worship in the land. [9] We do not see our signs: there is no
longer any prophet, or anyone among us to say how long. [10] O God, how
long will those who are against us say cruel things? will the hater go on
looking down on your name for ever? [11] Why are you keeping back your
hand, and covering your right hand in your robe? [12] For from the past God
is my King, working salvation in the earth. [13] The sea was parted in two
by your strength; the heads of the great sea-beasts were broken. [14] The
heads of the great snake were crushed by you; you gave them as food to the
fishes of the sea. [15] You made valleys for fountains and springs; you
made the ever-flowing rivers dry. [16] The day is yours and the night is
yours: you made the light and the sun. [17] By you all the limits of the
earth were fixed; you have made summer and winter. [18] Keep this in mind,
O Lord, that your haters have said cruel things, and that your name has
been looked down on by a people of evil behaviour. [19] O give not the soul
of your dove to the hawk; let not the life of the poor go out of your
memory for ever. [20] Keep in mind your undertaking; for the dark places of
the earth are full of pride and cruel acts. [21] O let not the crushed be
turned back in shame; let the low man and the poor give praise to your
name. [22] Up! O God, be the judge of your cause; keep in mind the bitter
things which the man of evil behaviour says against you every day. [23]
Keep in mind the voice of your haters; the outcry of those who come against
you goes up every day.
