| Chapter 74 |
1 |
Maschil. Of Asaph.
Of God, why have you put us away from you for ever? why is the fire of your wrath smoking against the sheep who are your care? --
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2 |
Keep in mind your band of worshippers, for whom you gave payment in the days which are past, whom you took for yourself as the people of your heritage; even this mountain of Zion, which has been your resting-place. --
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3 |
Go up and see the unending destruction; all the evil which your haters have done in the holy place; --
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4 |
Sending out their voices like lions among your worshippers; they have put up their signs to be seen. --
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5 |
They are cutting down, like a man whose blade is lifted up against the thick trees. --
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6 |
Your doors are broken down with hammers and iron blades. --
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7 |
They have put on fire your holy place; they have made the place of your name unclean, pulling it down to the earth. --
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8 |
They have said in their hearts, Let us put an end to them all together; they have given over to the fire all God's places of worship in the land. --
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9 |
We do not see our signs: there is no longer any prophet, or anyone among us to say how long. --
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10 |
O God, how long will those who are against us say cruel things? will the hater go on looking down on your name for ever? --
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11 |
Why are you keeping back your hand, and covering your right hand in your robe? --
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12 |
For from the past God is my King, working salvation in the earth. --
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13 |
The sea was parted in two by your strength; the heads of the great sea-beasts were broken. --
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14 |
The heads of the great snake were crushed by you; you gave them as food to the fishes of the sea. --
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15 |
You made valleys for fountains and springs; you made the ever-flowing rivers dry. --
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16 |
The day is yours and the night is yours: you made the light and the sun. --
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17 |
By you all the limits of the earth were fixed; you have made summer and winter. --
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18 |
Keep this in mind, O Lord, that your haters have said cruel things, and that your name has been looked down on by a people of evil behaviour. --
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19 |
O give not the soul of your dove to the hawk; let not the life of the poor go out of your memory for ever. --
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20 |
Keep in mind your undertaking; for the dark places of the earth are full of pride and cruel acts. --
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21 |
O let not the crushed be turned back in shame; let the low man and the poor give praise to your name. --
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22 |
Up! O God, be the judge of your cause; keep in mind the bitter things which the man of evil behaviour says against you every day. --
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23 |
Keep in mind the voice of your haters; the outcry of those who come against you goes up every day. --
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