Study Desk

A Maskil of Asaph.^(a)

Why have You rejected us forever, God? Why does Your anger burn against the sheep of Your pasture?^(b)

Remember Your congregation, which You purchased long ago and redeemed as the tribe for Your own possession.^(c) Remember Mount Zion where You dwell.^(d)

Make Your way^[a] to the everlasting ruins, to all that the enemy has destroyed in the sanctuary.^(e)

Your adversaries roared in the meeting place where You met with us.^[b] They set up their emblems as signs.^(f)

It was like men in a thicket of trees, wielding axes,^(g)

then smashing all the carvings with hatchets and picks.^(h)

They set Your sanctuary on fire; they utterly^[c] desecrated the dwelling place of Your name.⁽ⁱ⁾

They said in their hearts, "Let us oppress them relentlessly." They burned down every place throughout the land where God met with us.^[d](j)

There are no signs for us to see. There is no longer a prophet. And none of us knows how long this will last.^(k)

God, how long will the enemy mock? Will the foe insult Your name forever?^(l)

Why do You hold back Your hand? Stretch out^[e] Your right hand and destroy them!^(m)

God my King is from ancient times, performing saving acts on the earth.⁽ⁿ⁾

You divided the sea with Your strength; You smashed the heads of the sea monsters in the waters;^(o)

You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert.^(p)

You opened up springs and streams;^(q) You dried up ever-flowing rivers.^(r)

The day is Yours, also the night; You established the moon and the sun.^(s)

You set all the boundaries of the earth; You made summer and winter.^(t)

Remember this: the enemy has mocked Yahweh, and a foolish people has insulted Your name.^(u)

Do not give the life of Your dove to beasts;^[f] do not forget the lives of Your poor people forever.^(v)

Consider the covenant,^(w) for the dark places of the land are full of violence.^(x)

Do not let the oppressed turn away in shame; let the poor and needy praise Your name.^(y)

Rise up, God, defend Your cause!^(z) Remember the insults that fools bring against You all day long.^(aa)

Do not forget the clamor of Your adversaries, the tumult of Your opponents that goes up constantly.^(ab)

For the choir director: "Do Not Destroy."^[a] A psalm of Asaph.^(a) A song.

We give thanks to You, God; we give thanks to You, for Your name is near. People tell about Your wonderful works.^(b)

"When I choose a time, I will judge fairly.^(c)

When the earth and all its inhabitants shake, I am the One who steadies its pillars.^(d) Selah

I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,' and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn.^(e)

Do not lift up your horn against heaven or speak arrogantly.'"^(f)

Exaltation does not come from the east, the west, or the desert,

for God is the Judge: He brings down one and exalts another.^(g)

For there is a cup in the Lord 's hand, full of wine blended with spices, and He pours from it. All the wicked of the earth will drink, draining it to the dregs.^(h)

As for me, I will tell about Him forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.⁽ⁱ⁾

"I will cut off all the horns of the wicked,^(j) but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up."^(k)

For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph.^(a) A song.

God is known in Judah; His name is great in Israel.^(b)

His tent is in Salem,^[a] His dwelling place in Zion.^(c)

There He shatters the bow's flaming arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war.^(d) Selah

You are resplendent and majestic coming down from the mountains of prey.^(e)

The brave-hearted have been plundered; they have slipped into their final sleep. None of the warriors was able to lift a hand.^(f)

At Your rebuke, God of Jacob, both chariot and horse lay still.^(g)

And You—You are to be feared.^[b] When You are angry, who can stand before You?^(h)

From heaven You pronounced judgment. The earth feared and grew quiet⁽ⁱ⁾

when God rose up to judge and to save all the lowly of the earth.^(j) Selah

Even human wrath will praise You; You will clothe Yourself with their remaining wrath.^[c](k)

Make and keep your vows to the Lord your God;^(l) let all who are around Him bring tribute to the awe-inspiring One.^[d](m)

He humbles the spirit of leaders; He is feared by the kings of the earth.⁽ⁿ⁾

For the choir director: according to Jeduthun. Of Asaph.^(a) A psalm.

I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and He will hear me.^(b)

I sought the Lord in my day of trouble. My hands were continually lifted up all night long; I refused to be comforted.^(c)

I think of God; I groan; I meditate; my spirit becomes weak.^(d) Selah

You have kept me from closing my eyes; I am troubled and cannot speak.^(e)

I consider days of old, years long past.^(f)

At night I remember my music; I meditate in my heart, and my spirit ponders.^(g)

"Will the Lord reject forever and never again show favor?^(h)

Has His faithful love ceased forever? Is His promise at an end for all generations?⁽ⁱ⁾

Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger withheld His compassion?"^(j) Selah

So I say, "I am grieved^[a] that the right hand of the Most High has changed."^(k)

I will remember the Lord 's works; yes, I will remember Your ancient wonders.^(l)

I will reflect on all You have done and meditate on Your actions.^(m)

God, Your way is holy. What god is great like God?⁽ⁿ⁾

You are the God who works wonders; You revealed Your strength among the peoples.^(o)

With power You redeemed Your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.^(p) Selah

The waters saw You, God. The waters saw You; they trembled. Even the depths shook.^(q)

The clouds poured down water. The storm clouds thundered; Your arrows flashed back and forth.^(r)

The sound of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; lightning lit up the world.^(s) The earth shook and quaked.^(t)

Your way went through the sea and Your path through the great waters, but Your footprints were unseen.^(u)

You led Your people like a flock^(v) by the hand of Moses and Aaron.^(w)