74:1  A Contemplation of Asaph. O God, why have You cast us off forever?
Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?

74:2  Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old,
The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed—
This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.

74:3  Lift up Your feet to the perpetual desolations.
The enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary.

74:4  Your enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place;
They set up their banners for signs.

74:5  They seem like men who lift up
Axes among the thick trees.

74:6  And now they break down its carved work, all at once,
With axes and hammers.

74:7  They have set fire to Your sanctuary;
They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name to the ground.

74:8  They said in their hearts,
“Let us destroy them altogether.”
They have burned up all the meeting places of God in the land.

74:9  We do not see our signs;
There is no longer any prophet;
Nor is there any among us who knows how long.

74:10  O God, how long will the adversary reproach?
Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever?

74:11  Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand?
Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them.

74:12  For God is my King from of old,
Working salvation in the midst of the earth.

74:13  You divided the sea by Your strength;
You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters.

74:14  You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces,
And gave him as food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.

74:15  You broke open the fountain and the flood;
You dried up mighty rivers.

74:16  The day is Yours, the night also is Yours;
You have prepared the light and the sun.

74:17  You have set all the borders of the earth;
You have made summer and winter.

74:18  Remember this, that the enemy has reproached, O LORD,
And that a foolish people has blasphemed Your name.

74:19  Oh, do not deliver the life of Your turtledove to the wild beast!
Do not forget the life of Your poor forever.

74:20  Have respect to the covenant;
For the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty.

74:21  Oh, do not let the oppressed return ashamed!
Let the poor and needy praise Your name.

74:22  Arise, O God, plead Your own cause;
Remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily.

74:23  Do not forget the voice of Your enemies;
The tumult of those who rise up against You increases continually.