Psalm 74. Ut quid, Deus?

1. O GOD, wherefore art thou absent from us so long? *
   why is thy wrath so hot against the sheep of thy pasture?
2. O think upon thy congregation, *
   whom thou hast purchased, and redeemed of old.
3. Think upon the tribe of thine inheritance, *
   and Mount Sion, wherein thou hast dwelt.
4. Lift up thy feet, that thou mayest utterly destroy every enemy, *
   which hath done evil in thy sanctuary.
5. Thine adversaries roar in the midst of thy congregations, *
   and set up their banners for tokens.
6. He that hewed timber afore out of the thick trees, *
   was known to bring it to an excellent work.
7. But now they break down all the carved work thereof *
   with axes and hammers.
8. They have set fire upon thy holy places, *
   and have defiled the dwelling-place of thy Name, even unto the ground.
9. Yea, they said in their hearts, Let us make havoc of them altogether: *
   thus have they burnt up all the houses of God in the land.
10. We see not our tokens; there is not one prophet more; *
    no, not one is there among us, that understandeth any more.
11. O God, how long shall the adversary do this dishonour? *
    shall the enemy blaspheme thy Name for ever?
12. Why withdrawest thou thy hand? *
    why pluckest thou not thy right hand out of thy bosom to consume the enemy?
13. For God is my King of old; *
    the help that is done upon earth, he doeth it himself.
14. Thou didst divide the sea through thy power; *
    thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.
15. Thou smotest the heads of leviathan in pieces, *
    and gavest him to be meat for the people of the wilderness.
16. Thou broughtest out fountains and waters out of the hard rocks; *
    thou driedst up mighty waters.
17. The day is thine, and the night is thine; *
    thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
18. Thou hast set all the borders of the earth; *
    thou hast made summer and winter.
19. Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy hath rebuked; *
    and how the foolish people hath blasphemed thy Name.
20. O deliver not the soul of thy turtle-dove unto the multitude of the enemies; *
    and forget not the congregation of the poor for ever.
21. Look upon the covenant; *
    for all the earth is full of darkness and cruel habitations.
22. O let not the simple go away ashamed; *
    but let the poor and needy give praise unto thy Name.
23. Arise, O God, maintain thine own cause; *
    remember how the foolish man blasphemeth thee daily.
24. Forget not the voice of thine enemies: *
    the presumption of them that hate thee increaseth ever more and more.