Psalms 74:1-16

¹Maschil. 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?

²Keep 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.

³Go up and see the unending destruction; all the evil which your haters have done in the holy place;

⁴Sending out their voices like lions among your worshippers; they have put up their signs to be seen.

⁵They are cutting down, like a man whose blade is lifted up against the thick trees.

⁶Your doors are broken down with hammers and iron blades.

⁷They have put on fire your holy place; they have made the place of your name unclean, pulling it down to the earth.

⁸They 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.

⁹We do not see our signs: there is no longer any prophet, or anyone among us to say how long.

¹⁰O God, how long will those who are against us say cruel things? will the hater go on looking down on your name for ever?

¹¹Why are you keeping back your hand, and covering your right hand in your robe?

¹²For from the past God is my King, working salvation in the earth.

¹³The sea was parted in two by your strength; the heads of the great sea-beasts were broken.

¹⁴The heads of the great snake were crushed by you; you gave them as food to the fishes of the sea.

¹⁵You made valleys for fountains and springs; you made the ever-flowing rivers dry.

¹⁶The day is yours and the night is yours: you made the light and the sun.