Psalm 74:1-11

New King James Version

A Plea for Relief from Oppressors

A ^[a]Contemplation of Asaph.

74 O God, why have You cast us off forever?
Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?
²Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old,
The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed—
This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.
³Lift up Your feet to the perpetual desolations.
The enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary.
⁴^(A)Your enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place;
^(B)They set up their banners for signs.
⁵They seem like men who lift up
Axes among the thick trees.
⁶And now they break down its carved work, all at once,
With axes and hammers.
⁷They have set fire to Your sanctuary;
They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name to the ground.
⁸^(C)They said in their hearts,
“Let us ^[b]destroy them altogether.”
They have burned up all the meeting places of God in the land.

⁹We do not see our signs;
^(D)There is no longer any prophet;
Nor is there any among us who knows how long.
¹⁰O God, how long will the adversary ^[c]reproach?
Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever?
¹¹^(E)Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand?
Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them.