Psalm 74

A Maskil of Asaph                       Tune: Leaf 86.866.

1. Why God forever cast us off?

Why does your anger burn against the flock of your own field;

2. Recall your gathered ones you purchased from of old. 

Remember them that you redeemed, your tribe and heritage, and Zion's mount where you did dwell. 

3. O turn your steps to walk where ruin is complete!

Your foes laid waste the holy place;  4. they shouted in your halls; they set their alien emblems up; 5. it seemed as if an axe had cut down forest trees.

6. With pikes they broke the carven work; 7. the holy place they burned. The place you made your name to dwell, now even to the ground they have profaned and razed.

8. "O let us bring their strength to naught!" -- so did their hearts declare. They burned each God-appointed place. 9. No prophets now, no signs, and none who know how long! 

10. How long, O God, will foes insult and scorn your name always? 11. O why do you hold back your hand? Your right hand O reach forth to end and to destroy!

12. Yet God my King brings forth of old salvation in the earth. 13. The sea you parted by your strength; you smote Leviathan 14. and fed him to the beasts.

15. You opened springs; you dried the streams; 16. both day and night are yours. You have ordained both light and sun, 17.  you gave the earth its bounds, and made the heat and cold.

18. Remember LORD , how foes insult! How folks have scorned your name! 19. Your dove I give not to the beasts! Your meek ones' lives regard and not always forget! 

20. O look upon the covenant! The darkness of the land is with the dens of plunder filled. 21. O do not shame the meek, but let them praise your name!

22. Arise O God! Take up your strife! Recall the scorn of fools! 23. Recall your adversaries' cries, the raging noise of foes which rises endlessly!