Psalm 74

An Appeal to God against the Enemy

74¹ O God, why have you rejected us so long? Why is your anger so intense against the sheep of your own pasture? ² Remember that we are the people you chose long ago, the tribe you redeemed as your own special possession! And remember Jerusalem, your home here on earth. ³ Walk through the awful ruins of the city; see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary. ⁴ There your enemies shouted their victorious battle cries; there they set up their battle standards. ⁵ They swung their axes like woodcutters in a forest. ⁶ With axes and picks, they smashed the carved paneling. ⁷ They burned your sanctuary to the ground. They defiled the place that bears your name. ⁸ Then they thought, "Let's destroy everything!" So they burned down all the places where God was worshiped. ⁹ We no longer see your miraculous signs. All the prophets are gone, and no one can tell us when it will end. ¹⁰ How long, O God, will you allow our enemies to insult you? Will you let them dishonor your name forever? ¹¹ Why do you hold back your strong right hand? Unleash your powerful fist and destroy them.

¹² You, O God, are my king from ages past, bringing salvation to the earth. ¹³ You split the sea by your strength and smashed the heads of the sea monsters. ¹⁴ You crushed the heads of Leviathan and let the desert animals eat him. ¹⁵ You caused the springs and streams to gush forth, and you dried up rivers that never run dry. ¹⁶ Both day and night belong to you; you made the starlight and the sun. ¹⁷ You set the boundaries of the earth, and you made both summer and winter.

¹⁸ See how these enemies insult you, Lord . A foolish nation has dishonored your name. ¹⁹ Don't let these wild beasts destroy your turtledoves. Don't forget your suffering people forever. ²⁰ Remember your covenant promises, for the land is full of darkness and violence! ²¹ Don't let the downtrodden be humiliated again. Instead, let the poor and needy praise your name. ²² Arise, O God, and defend your cause. Remember how these fools insult you all day long. ²³ Don't overlook what your enemies have said or their growing uproar.