74:1   (A special psalm by Asaph.) Our God, why have you completely rejected us? Why are you so angry with the ones you care for?

74:2   Remember the people you rescued long ago, the tribe you chose to be your very own. Think of Mount Zion, your home;

74:3   walk over to the temple left in ruins forever by those who hate us.

74:4   Your enemies roared like lions in your holy temple, and they have placed their banners there.

74:5   It looks like a forest chopped to pieces.

74:6   They used axes and hatchets to smash the carvings.

74:7   They burned down your temple and badly disgraced it.

74:8   They said to themselves, "We'll crush them!" Then they burned every one of your meeting places all over the country.

74:9   There are no more miracles and no more prophets. Who knows how long it will be like this?

74:10   Our God, how much longer will our enemies sneer? Won't they ever stop insulting you?

74:11   Why don't you punish them? Why are you holding back?

74:12   Our God and King, you have ruled since ancient times; you have won victories everywhere on this earth.

74:13   By your power you made a path through the sea, and you smashed the heads of sea monsters.

74:14   You crushed the heads of the monster Leviathan, then fed him to wild creatures in the desert.

74:15   You opened the ground for streams and springs and dried up mighty rivers.

74:16   You rule the day and the night, and you put the moon and the sun in place.

74:17   You made summer and winter and gave them to the earth.

74:18   Remember your enemies, LORD! They foolishly sneer and won't respect you.

74:19   You treat us like pet doves, but they mistreat us. Don't keep forgetting us and letting us be fed to those wild animals.

74:20   Remember the agreement you made with us. Violent enemies are hiding in every dark corner of the earth.

74:21   Don't disappoint those in need or make them turn from you, but help the poor and homeless to shout your praises.

74:22   Do something, God! Defend yourself. Remember how those fools sneer at you all day long.

74:23   Don't forget the loud shouts of your enemies.