1O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?

2Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed-- This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.

3Lift up Your feet to the perpetual desolations. The enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary.

4Your enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place; They set up their banners for signs.

5They seem like men who lift up Axes among the thick trees.

6And now they break down its carved work, all at once, With axes and hammers.

7They have set fire to Your sanctuary; They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name to the ground.

8They said in their hearts, "Let us destroy them altogether." They have burned up all the meeting places of God in the land.

9We do not see our signs; There is no longer any prophet; Nor is there any among us who knows how long.

10O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever?

11Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them.

12For God is my King from of old, Working salvation in the midst of the earth.

13You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters.

14You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces, And gave him as food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.

15You broke open the fountain and the flood; You dried up mighty rivers.

16The day is Yours, the night also is Yours; You have prepared the light and the sun.

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

18Remember this, that the enemy has reproached, O LORD, And that a foolish people has blasphemed Your name.

19Oh, do not deliver the life of Your turtledove to the wild beast! Do not forget the life of Your poor forever.

20Have respect to the covenant; For the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty.

21Oh, do not let the oppressed return ashamed! Let the poor and needy praise Your name.

22Arise, O God, plead Your own cause; Remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily.

23Do not forget the voice of Your enemies; The tumult of those who rise up against You increases continually.