Psalms 74; Psalms 75; Psalms 76; Psalms 77

Psalms 74

1 Why, O God, have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep in your care?

2 Remember your congregation. Long ago you made it your own. You bought this tribe to be your possession. This tribe is Mount Zion, where you have made your home.

3 Turn your steps toward these pathetic ruins. The enemy has destroyed everything in the holy temple.

4 Your opponents have roared inside your meeting place. They have set up their own emblems as symbols.

5 Starting from its entrance, they hacked away like a woodcutter in a forest.

6 They smashed all its carved paneling with axes and hatchets.

7 They burned your holy place to the ground. They dishonored the place where you live among us.

8 They said to themselves, "We will crush them." They burned every meeting place of God in the land.

9 We no longer see miraculous signs. There are no prophets anymore. No one knows how long this will last.

10 How long, O God, will the enemy insult us? Will the enemy despise you forever?

11 Why do you hold back your hand, especially your right hand? Take your hands out of your pockets. Destroy your enemies!

12 And yet, from long ago God has been my king, the one who has been victorious throughout the earth.

13 You stirred up the sea with your own strength. You smashed the heads of sea monsters in the water.

14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave them to the creatures of the desert for food.

15 You opened the springs and brooks. You dried up the ever-flowing rivers.

16 The day and the night are yours. You set the moon and the sun in their places.

17 You determined all the boundaries of the earth. You created summer and winter.

18 Remember how the enemy insulted you, O LORD. Remember how an entire nation of godless fools despised your name.

19 Do not hand over the soul of your dove to wild animals. Do not forget the life of your oppressed people forever.

20 Consider your promise because every dark corner of the land is filled with violence.

21 Do not let oppressed people come back in disgrace. Let weak and needy people praise your name.

22 Arise, O God! Fight for your own cause! Remember how godless fools insult you all day long.

23 Do not forget the shouting of your opponents. Do not forget the uproar made by those who attack you.

Psalms 75

1 We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks. You are present, and your miracles confirm that.

2 When I choose the right time, I will judge fairly.

3 When the earth and everyone who lives on it begin to melt, I will make its foundations as solid as rock. Selah

4 I said to those who brag, "Don't brag," and to wicked people, "Don't raise your weapons.

5 Don't raise your weapons so proudly or speak so defiantly."

6 The [authority] to reward someone does not [come] from the east, from the west, or [even] from the wilderness.

7 God alone is the judge. He punishes one person and rewards another.

8 A cup is in the LORD's hand. (Its foaming wine is thoroughly mixed with spices.) He will empty it, [and] all the wicked people on earth will have to drink every last drop.

9 But I will speak [about your miracles] forever. I will make music to praise the God of Jacob.

10 I will destroy all the weapons of wicked people, but the weapons of righteous people will be raised proudly.

Psalms 76

1 God is known in Judah. His name is great in Israel.

2 His tent is in Salem. His home is in Zion.

3 There he destroyed flaming arrows, shields, swords, and weapons of war. Selah

4 You are the radiant one. You are more majestic than the ancient mountains.

5 Brave people were robbed. They died. None of the warriors were able to lift a hand.

6 At your stern warning, O God of Jacob, chariot riders and horses were put to sleep.

7 You alone must be feared! Who can stand in your presence when you become angry?

8 From heaven you announced a verdict. The earth was fearful and silent

9 when you rose to judge, O God, when you rose to save every oppressed person on earth. Selah

10 Even angry mortals will praise you. You will wear the remainder of [their] anger.

11 Make vows to the LORD your God, and keep them. Let everyone around him bring gifts to the one who must be feared.

12 He cuts short the lives of influential people. He terrifies the kings of the earth.

Psalms 77

1 Loudly, I cried to God. Loudly, I cried to God so that he would open his ears to [hear] me.

2 On the day I was in trouble, I went to the Lord for help. At night I stretched out my hands in prayer without growing tired. Yet, my soul refused to be comforted.

3 I sigh as I remember God. I begin to lose hope as I think about him. Selah

4 (You keep my eyelids open.) I am so upset that I cannot speak.

5 I have considered the days of old, the years long ago.

6 I remember my song in the night and reflect [on it]. My spirit searches [for an answer]:

7 Will the Lord reject [me] for all time? Will he ever accept me?

8 Has his mercy come to an end forever? Has his promise been canceled throughout every generation?

9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he locked up his compassion because of his anger? Selah

10 Then I said, "It makes me feel sick that the power of the Most High is no longer the same."

11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD. I will remember your ancient miracles.

12 I will reflect on all your actions and think about what you have done.

13 O God, your ways are holy! What god is as great as our God?

14 You are the God who performs miracles. You have made your strength known among the nations.

15 With your might you have defended your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

16 The water saw you, O God. The water saw you and shook. Even the depths of the sea trembled.

17 The clouds poured out water. The sky thundered. Even your arrows flashed in every direction.

18 The sound of your thunder rumbled in the sky. Streaks of lightning lit up the world. The earth trembled and shook.

19 Your road went through the sea. Your path went through raging water, but your footprints could not be seen.

20 Like a shepherd, you led your people. You had Moses and Aaron take them by the hand.