Psalm 74
Ut quid, Deus?
1
O God, wherefore art thou absent from us so long *
why is thy wrath so hot against the sheep of thy pasture?
2
O think upon thy congregation *
whom thou hast purchased and redeemed of old.
3
Think upon the tribe of thine inheritance *
and mount Sion, wherein thou hast dwelt.
4
Lift up thy feet, that thou mayest utterly destroy every enemy *
which hath done evil in thy sanctuary.
5
Thine adversaries roar in the midst of thy congregations *
and set up their banners for tokens.
6
He that hewed timber afore out of the thick trees *
was known to bring it to an excellent work.
7
But now they break down all the carved work thereof *
with axes and hammers.
8
They have set fire upon thy holy places *
and have defiled the dwelling-place of thy Name, even unto the ground.
9
Yea, they said in their hearts, Let us make havock of them altogether *
thus have they burnt up all the houses of God in the land.
10
We see not our tokens, there is not one prophet more *
no, not one is there among us, that understandeth any more.
11
O God, how long shall the adversary do this dishonour *
how long shall the enemy blaspheme thy Name, for ever?
12
Why withdrawest thou thy hand *
why pluckest thou not thy right hand out of thy bosom to consume the enemy?
13
For God is my King of old *
the help that is done upon earth he doeth it himself.
14
Thou didst divide the sea through thy power *
thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.
15
Thou smotest the heads of Leviathan in pieces *
and gavest him to be meat for the people in the wilderness.
16
Thou broughtest out fountains and waters out of the hard rocks *
thou driedst up mighty waters.
17
The day is thine, and the night is thine *
thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
18
Thou hast set all the borders of the earth *
thou hast made summer and winter.
19
Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy hath rebuked *
and how the foolish people hath blasphemed thy Name.
20
O deliver not the soul of thy turtle-dove unto the multitude of the enemies *
and forget not the congregation of the poor for ever.
21
Look upon the covenant *
for all the earth is full of darkness and cruel habitations.
22
O let not the simple go away ashamed *
but let the poor and needy give praise unto thy Name.
23
Arise, O God, maintain thine own cause *
remember how the foolish man blasphemeth thee daily.
24
Forget not the voice of thine enemies *
the presumption of them that hate thee increaseth ever more and more.