New International Version NIV
The Message Bible MSG
1 O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?
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You walked off and left us, and never looked back. God, how could you do that? We're your very own sheep; how can you stomp off in anger?
2 Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed— Mount Zion, where you dwelt.
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Refresh your memory of us - you bought us a long time ago. Your most precious tribe - you paid a good price for us! Your very own Mount Zion - you actually lived here once!
3 Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.
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Come and visit the site of disaster, see how they've wrecked the sanctuary.
4 Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs.
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While your people were at worship, your enemies barged in, brawling and scrawling graffiti.
5 They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees.
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They set fire to the porch; axes swinging, they chopped up the woodwork,
6 They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets.
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Beat down the doors with sledgehammers, then split them into kindling.
7 They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.
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They burned your holy place to the ground, violated the place of worship.
8 They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!” They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.
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They said to themselves, "We'll wipe them all out," and burned down all the places of worship.
9 We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.
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There's not a sign or symbol of God in sight, nor anyone to speak in his name, no one who knows what's going on.
10 How long will the enemy mock you, God? Will the foe revile your name forever?
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How long, God, will barbarians blaspheme, enemies curse and get by with it?
11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!
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Why don't you do something? How long are you going to sit there with your hands folded in your lap?
12 But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth.
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God is my King from the very start; he works salvation in the womb of the earth.
13 It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
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With one blow you split the sea in two, you made mincemeat of the dragon Tannin.
14 It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.
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You lopped off the heads of Leviathan, then served them up in a stew for the animals.
15 It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever-flowing rivers.
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With your finger you opened up springs and creeks, and dried up the wild floodwaters.
16 The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.
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You own the day, you own the night; you put stars and sun in place.
17 It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.
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You laid out the four corners of earth, shaped the seasons of summer and winter.
18 Remember how the enemy has mocked you, LORD, how foolish people have reviled your name.
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Mark and remember, God, all the enemy taunts, each idiot desecration.
19 Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever.
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Don't throw your lambs to the wolves; after all we've been through, don't forget us.
20 Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.
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Remember your promises; the city is in darkness, the countryside violent.
21 Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name.
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Don't leave the victims to rot in the street; make them a choir that sings your praises.
22 Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long.
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On your feet, O God - stand up for yourself! Do you hear what they're saying about you, all the vile obscenities?
23 Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.
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Don't tune out their malicious filth, the brawling invective that never lets up.
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.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.