New Living Translation NLT
New International Version NIV
1 O God, why have you rejected us so long? Why is your anger so intense against the sheep of your own pasture?
1
O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?
2 Remember that we are the people you chose long ago, the tribe you redeemed as your own special possession! And remember Jerusalem, your home here on earth.
2
Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed— Mount Zion, where you dwelt.
3 Walk through the awful ruins of the city; see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary.
3
Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.
4 There your enemies shouted their victorious battle cries; there they set up their battle standards.
4
Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs.
5 They swung their axes like woodcutters in a forest.
5
They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees.
6 With axes and picks, they smashed the carved paneling.
6
They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets.
7 They burned your sanctuary to the ground. They defiled the place that bears your name.
7
They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.
8 Then they thought, “Let’s destroy everything!” So they burned down all the places where God was worshiped.
8
They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!” They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.
9 We no longer see your miraculous signs. All the prophets are gone, and no one can tell us when it will end.
9
We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.
10 How long, O God, will you allow our enemies to insult you? Will you let them dishonor your name forever?
10
How long will the enemy mock you, God? Will the foe revile your name forever?
11 Why do you hold back your strong right hand? Unleash your powerful fist and destroy them.
11
Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!
12 You, O God, are my king from ages past, bringing salvation to the earth.
12
But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth.
13 You split the sea by your strength and smashed the heads of the sea monsters.
13
It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan and let the desert animals eat him.
14
It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.
15 You caused the springs and streams to gush forth, and you dried up rivers that never run dry.
15
It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever-flowing rivers.
16 Both day and night belong to you; you made the starlight and the sun.
16
The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.
17 You set the boundaries of the earth, and you made both summer and winter.
17
It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.
18 See how these enemies insult you, LORD . A foolish nation has dishonored your name.
18
Remember how the enemy has mocked you, LORD, how foolish people have reviled your name.
19 Don’t let these wild beasts destroy your turtledoves. Don’t forget your suffering people forever.
19
Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever.
20 Remember your covenant promises, for the land is full of darkness and violence!
20
Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.
21 Don’t let the downtrodden be humiliated again. Instead, let the poor and needy praise your name.
21
Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name.
22 Arise, O God, and defend your cause. Remember how these fools insult you all day long.
22
Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long.
23 Don’t overlook what your enemies have said or their growing uproar.
23
Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.