Read the Bible

¹ God, why have you turned away from us for so long?
    Why are you still angry with us, your own flock?
² Remember the people you bought so long ago.
    You saved us, and we belong to you.
And remember Mount Zion, the place where you lived.
³ God, come walk through these ancient ruins.
    Come back to the Holy Place that the enemy destroyed.

⁴ The enemy shouted their war cries in the Temple.
    They put up their flags there to show they had won the war.
⁵ Their soldiers attacked the doors,
    like workmen chopping down trees.
⁶ Using axes and hatchets,
    they smashed the carved panels inside.
⁷ They burned down your Holy Place.
    It was built to honor your name,
    but they pulled it down to the ground.
⁸ The enemy decided to crush us completely.
    They burned every holy place^[a] in the country.
⁹ We do not see any of our signs.^[b]
    There are no more prophets.
    And no one knows how long this will last.
¹⁰ God, how much longer will the enemy make fun of us?
    Will you let them insult your name forever?
¹¹ Why won't you help us?
    Use your power to defeat our enemies!
¹² God, you have been our King for a long time.
    You have saved us many times on this earth.
¹³ With your great power you split open the sea
    and broke the heads of the sea monster.
¹⁴ Yes, you smashed the heads of Leviathan^[c]
    and left his body for animals to eat.
¹⁵ You make the springs and rivers flow,
    and you make the rivers dry up.
¹⁶ You control the day and the night.
    You made the sun and the moon.
¹⁷ You set the limits for everything on earth.
    And you created summer and winter.
¹⁸ Lord, remember, the enemy insulted you!
    Those foolish people hate your name!
¹⁹ Don't give us like a helpless dove to those wild animals.
    Never forget your poor, suffering people.
²⁰ Remember the agreement you gave us,
    because violence fills every dark place in this land.
²¹ Your people were treated badly.
    Don't let them be hurt anymore.
    Let your poor, helpless people praise you.
²² God, get up and defend yourself!
    Remember, those fools challenged you.
²³ Don't forget the shouts of your enemies.
    They insulted you again and again.