4The enemy shouted in triumph right where you met with us. There they set up their war banners as signs of their victory.
5They acted like men chopping down a forest with axes.
6With axes and hammers they smashed in the carved wooden panels.
7Then they set fire to your Temple, burning it to the ground. They defiled the place where you live, the place that bears your name.
8They said to themselves, “Let's destroy it all!” So they burned down every place where God was worshiped throughout the land.
9We no longer see any signs. There are no prophets left. And no one among us knows how long this will last.
10How long will the enemy ridicule you, God? Will they insult your character forever?
11Why do you hold back from doing something? Take action and destroy them!
12But you, God, are our king from long ago. You have saved us many times in the land.
13You were the one who split apart the sea by your strength; you broke the heads of the sea monsters.