60 lines
2.4 KiB
Markdown
60 lines
2.4 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 44
|
||
1 O God, we have heard it with our own ears—
|
||
our ancestors have told us
|
||
of all you did in their day,
|
||
in days long ago:
|
||
2 You drove out the pagan nations by your power
|
||
and gave all the land to our ancestors.
|
||
You crushed their enemies
|
||
and set our ancestors free.
|
||
3 They did not conquer the land with their swords;
|
||
it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory.
|
||
It was your right hand and strong arm
|
||
and the blinding light from your face that helped them,
|
||
for you loved them.
|
||
4 You are my King and my God.
|
||
You command victories for Israel.
|
||
5 Only by your power can we push back our enemies;
|
||
only in your name can we trample our foes.
|
||
6 I do not trust in my bow;
|
||
I do not count on my sword to save me.
|
||
7 You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies;
|
||
you disgrace those who hate us.
|
||
8 O God, we give glory to you all day long
|
||
and constantly praise your name. Interlude
|
||
9 But now you have tossed us aside in dishonor.
|
||
You no longer lead our armies to battle.
|
||
10 You make us retreat from our enemies
|
||
and allow those who hate us to plunder our land.
|
||
11 You have butchered us like sheep
|
||
and scattered us among the nations.
|
||
12 You sold your precious people for a pittance,
|
||
making nothing on the sale.
|
||
13 You let our neighbors mock us.
|
||
We are an object of scorn and derision to those around us.
|
||
14 You have made us the butt of their jokes;
|
||
they shake their heads at us in scorn.
|
||
15 We can’t escape the constant humiliation;
|
||
shame is written across our faces.
|
||
16 All we hear are the taunts of our mockers.
|
||
All we see are our vengeful enemies.
|
||
17 All this has happened though we have not forgotten you.
|
||
We have not violated your covenant.
|
||
18 Our hearts have not deserted you.
|
||
We have not strayed from your path.
|
||
19 Yet you have crushed us in the jackal’s desert home.
|
||
You have covered us with darkness and death.
|
||
20 If we had forgotten the name of our God
|
||
or spread our hands in prayer to foreign gods,
|
||
21 God would surely have known it,
|
||
for he knows the secrets of every heart.
|
||
22 But for your sake we are killed every day;
|
||
we are being slaughtered like sheep.
|
||
23 Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep?
|
||
Get up! Do not reject us forever.
|
||
24 Why do you look the other way?
|
||
Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression?
|
||
25 We collapse in the dust,
|
||
lying face down in the dirt.
|
||
26 Rise up! Help us!
|
||
Ransom us because of your unfailing love. |