Study Desk

A maskil^[a] of Asaph.

O God, why have you rejected^(a) us forever?^(b) Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?^(c)

Remember the nation you purchased^(d) long ago,^(e) the people of your inheritance,^(f) whom you redeemed^(g)— Mount Zion,^(h) where you dwelt.⁽ⁱ⁾

Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins,^(j) all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.

Your foes roared^(k) in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards^(l) as signs.

They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees.^(m)

They smashed all the carved⁽ⁿ⁾ paneling with their axes and hatchets.

They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled^(o) the dwelling place^(p) of your Name.^(q)

They said in their hearts, "We will crush^(r) them completely!" They burned^(s) every place where God was worshiped in the land.

We are given no signs from God;^(t) no prophets^(u) are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.

How long^(v) will the enemy mock^(w) you, God? Will the foe revile^(x) your name forever?

Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?^(y) Take it from the folds of your garment^(z) and destroy them!

But God is my King^(aa) from long ago; he brings salvation^(ab) on the earth.

It was you who split open the sea^(ac) by your power; you broke the heads of the monster^(ad) in the waters.

It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan^(ae) and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.^(af)

It was you who opened up springs^(ag) and streams; you dried up^(ah) the ever-flowing rivers.

The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.^(ai)

It was you who set all the boundaries^(aj) of the earth; you made both summer and winter.^(ak)

Remember how the enemy has mocked you, Lord , how foolish people^(al) have reviled your name.

Do not hand over the life of your dove^(am) to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted^(an) people forever.

Have regard for your covenant,^(ao) because haunts of violence fill the dark places^(ap) of the land.

Do not let the oppressed^(aq) retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy^(ar) praise your name.

Rise up,^(as) O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools^(at) mock you all day long.

Do not ignore the clamor^(au) of your adversaries,^(av) the uproar^(aw) of your enemies,^(ax) which rises continually.

For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." A psalm of Asaph. A song.

We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near;^(a) people tell of your wonderful deeds.^(b)

You say, "I choose the appointed time;^(c) it is I who judge with equity.^(d)

When the earth and all its people quake,^(e) it is I who hold its pillars^(f) firm.^[b]

To the arrogant^(g) I say, ‘Boast no more,'^(h) and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.^[c](i)

Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak so defiantly.^(j)'"

No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves.

It is God who judges:^(k) He brings one down, he exalts another.^(l)

In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed^(m) with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs.⁽ⁿ⁾

As for me, I will declare^(o) this forever; I will sing^(p) praise to the God of Jacob,^(q)

who says, "I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up."^(r)

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song.

God is renowned in Judah; in Israel his name is great.^(a)

His tent is in Salem,^(b) his dwelling place in Zion.^(c)

There he broke the flashing arrows,^(d) the shields and the swords, the weapons of war.^[b](e)

You are radiant with light,^(f) more majestic than mountains rich with game.

The valiant^(g) lie plundered, they sleep their last sleep;^(h) not one of the warriors can lift his hands.

At your rebuke,⁽ⁱ⁾ God of Jacob, both horse and chariot^(j) lie still.

It is you alone who are to be feared.^(k) Who can stand^(l) before you when you are angry?^(m)

From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared⁽ⁿ⁾ and was quiet—

when you, God, rose up to judge,^(o) to save all the afflicted^(p) of the land.

Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise,^(q) and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.^[c]

Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them;^(r) let all the neighboring lands bring gifts^(s) to the One to be feared.

He breaks the spirit of rulers; he is feared by the kings of the earth.

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.

I cried out to God^(a) for help; I cried out to God to hear me.

When I was in distress,^(b) I sought the Lord; at night^(c) I stretched out untiring hands,^(d) and I would not be comforted.^(e)

I remembered^(f) you, God, and I groaned;^(g) I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.^[b](h)

You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.⁽ⁱ⁾

I thought about the former days,^(j) the years of long ago;

I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

"Will the Lord reject forever?^(k) Will he never show his favor^(l) again?

Has his unfailing love^(m) vanished forever? Has his promise⁽ⁿ⁾ failed for all time?

Has God forgotten to be merciful?^(o) Has he in anger withheld his compassion?^(p)"

Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.^(q)

I will remember the deeds of the Lord ; yes, I will remember your miracles^(r) of long ago.

I will consider^(s) all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds."^(t)

Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?^(u)

You are the God who performs miracles;^(v) you display your power among the peoples.

With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,^(w) the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

The waters^(x) saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed;^(y) the very depths were convulsed.

The clouds poured down water,^(z) the heavens resounded with thunder;^(aa) your arrows^(ab) flashed back and forth.

Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,^(ac) your lightning^(ad) lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.^(ae)

Your path^(af) led through the sea,^(ag) your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

You led your people^(ah) like a flock^(ai) by the hand of Moses and Aaron.^(aj)