1 An Instruction of Asaph. O God, have You cast [us] off forever? Will Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?

2 Remember Your congregation, [which] You have purchased of old, the rod of Your inheritance which You have redeemed; this mount Zion in [which] You have dwelt.

3 Lift up Your feet to the never-ending ruins, even all that the enemy has done wickedly in the sanctuary.

4 Your enemies roar in the midst of Your congregation; they set up their own banners [for] signs.

5 He is known as one bringing axes on high, on the thick trees.

6 And now all its carvings too, they break down with axes and hammers.

7 They have cast fire into Your sanctuary; they have defiled the dwelling-place of Your name to the ground.

8 They said in their hearts, Together let us rage against them; they have burned up all God's meeting-places in the land.

9 We did not see our signs; [there is] no prophet any more; neither [is there] among us any who knows how long.

10 O God, how long shall the enemy speak evil? Shall the enemy blaspheme Your name forever?

11 Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Draw [it] out of Your bosom.

12 For God [is] my king of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth,

13 You divide the sea by Your strength; You break the heads of the sea-monsters in the waters.

14 You cracked open the heads of leviathan, and gave him to [be food] to the people living in the wilderness.

15 You divide the fountain and the flood; You dry up mighty rivers.

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

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

18 Remember this, the enemy has cursed, O LORD, and the foolish people have blasphemed Your name.

19 Do not deliver the soul of Your turtle dove to the multitude; forget not the congregation of Your poor forever.

20 Look to the covenant; for the dark places of the earth are full of the houses of evil.

21 Oh let not the ill-treated ones return ashamed; let the poor and needy praise Your name.

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

23 Forget not the voice of Your enemies; the noise of those who rise up against You keeps on increasing.