Psalm 74

New Coverdale Version

O God, why have you utterly cast us off? * Why is your wrath so hot against the sheep of your pasture?

O think upon your congregation * whom you have purchased and redeemed of old.

Think upon the tribe of your inheritance, * and Mount Zion, where you have dwelt.

Draw near and behold how all is made desolate * and how the enemy has destroyed all that is in your sanctuary.

Your adversaries roar in the midst of your holy place * and set up their banners as tokens of victory.

Like hewers of timber in a thicket of trees, * so have they broken down all the carved work with axes and hammers.

They have set fire to your holy place * and have defiled the dwelling place of your Name, even to the ground.

They said in their hearts, “Let us make havoc of them altogether.” * Thus have they burnt up all the houses of God in the land.

We do not see any signs; there is not one prophet anymore; * there is no one who knows how long these things shall continue.

O God, how long shall the adversary do this dishonor? * How long shall the enemy blaspheme your Name, for ever?

Why do you withdraw your hand? * Why do you not take your right hand out of your bosom to consume the enemy?

For God is my King of old; * he is the one bringing help upon the earth.

You divided the sea through your power; * you broke the heads of the dragons in the waters.

You smote the heads of Leviathan in pieces * and gave him to be food for the people in the wilderness.

You brought fountains and waters out of the hard rocks, * and you dried up mighty waters.

The day is yours, and the night is yours; * you have prepared the light and the sun.

You have set all the borders of the earth; * you have made summer and winter.

Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy scoffed, * and how the foolish people have blasphemed your Name.

Deliver not the soul of your turtledove to the wild beasts, * and forget not for ever the lives of your poor.

Look upon your covenant, * for the dark places of the earth are full of violence.

Let not the oppressed go away ashamed, * but let the poor and needy give praise to your Name.

Arise, O God, maintain your own cause; * remember how the foolish one blasphemes you daily.

Forget not the voice of your enemies, * nor the tumult of those who hate you, which increases ever more and more.