Chapter Text
74:1 A Maskil of Asaph. Why, O God? Have You rejected us forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?
74:2 Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, Which You have redeemed to be the tribe of Your inheritance; And this Mount Zion, where You have dwelt.
74:3 Lift up Your steps toward the perpetual ruins; The enemy has damaged everything within the sanctuary.
74:4 Your adversaries have roared in the midst of Your meeting place; They have set up their own signs for signs.
74:5 Each seems like one who lifts up An axe against the undergrowth of trees.
74:6 And now its carved work altogether They smash with hatchet and hammers.
74:7 They have set Your sanctuary on fire; By bringing it to the ground, they have defiled the dwelling place of Your name.
74:8 They said in their heart, “Let us completely subdue them.” They have burned all the meeting places of God in the land.
74:9 We do not see our signs; There is no longer any prophet, Nor is there any among us who knows how long.
74:10 How long, O God, will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy spurn Your name forever?
74:11 Why do You turn back Your hand, even Your right hand? From within Your bosom, destroy them!
74:12 Yet God is my King from of old, Who works deeds of salvation in the midst of the earth.
74:13 You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters.
74:14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You gave him as food for the creatures of the desert.
74:15 You split open spring and river; You dried up ever‑flowing rivers.
74:16 Yours is the day, Yours also is the night; You have established the light and the sun.
74:17 You have caused all the boundaries of the earth to stand firm; You have formed summer and winter.
74:18 Remember this, O Yahweh, that the enemy has reproached, And a wickedly foolish people has spurned Your name.
74:19 Do not deliver the soul of Your turtledove to the wild beast; Do not forget the life of Your afflicted forever.
74:20 Look to the covenant; For the dark places of the land are full of the haunts of violence.
74:21 Let not the oppressed return dishonored; Let the afflicted and needy praise Your name.
74:22 Arise, O God, and plead Your own cause; Remember how the wicked fool reproaches You all day long.
74:23 Do not forget the voice of Your adversaries, The rumbling of those who rise against You which ascends continually.