Psalm 74 - Modern English Version

A Contemplative Maskil of Asaph.

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

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.

³ Direct Your steps to the irreparable ruins; the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary.

⁴ Your enemies have roared in the midst of Your meeting place; they set up their ensigns as signs.

⁵ They seem like men who wield axes in a thicket of trees.

⁶ But now they break down all its carved work with axes and hammers.

⁷ They set Your sanctuary on fire; they have defiled the dwelling place of Your name, bringing it to the ground.

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

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

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

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

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

¹³ You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea monsters on the waters.

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

¹⁵ You split open springs and torrents; You dried up mighty rivers.

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

¹⁷ You have established all the boundaries of the earth; You have made summer and winter.

¹⁸ Remember this, that the enemy has reviled, O  Lord, and that a foolish people has blasphemed Your name.

¹⁹ Do not give the life of Your turtledove to a wild animal; do not forget the life of Your poor forever.

²⁰ Have respect for the covenant, for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of violence.

²¹ Let not the oppressed return ashamed; let the poor and needy praise Your name.

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

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