New International Version NIV
New Century Version NCV
1 O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?
1
God, why have you rejected us for so long? Why are you angry with us, the sheep of your pasture?
2 Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed— Mount Zion, where you dwelt.
2
Remember the people you bought long ago. You saved us, and we are your very own. After all, you live on Mount Zion.
3 Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.
3
Make your way through these old ruins; the enemy wrecked everything in the Temple.
4 Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs.
4
Those who were against you shouted in your meeting place and raised their flags there.
5 They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees.
5
They came with axes raised as if to cut down a forest of trees.
6 They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets.
6
They smashed the carved panels with their axes and hatchets.
7 They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.
7
They burned your Temple to the ground; they have made the place where you live unclean.
8 They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!” They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.
8
They thought, "We will completely crush them!" They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.
9 We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.
9
We do not see any signs. There are no more prophets, and no one knows how long this will last.
10 How long will the enemy mock you, God? Will the foe revile your name forever?
10
God, how much longer will the enemy make fun of you? Will they insult you forever?
11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!
11
Why do you hold back your power? Bring your power out in the open and destroy them!
12 But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth.
12
God, you have been our king for a long time. You bring salvation to the earth.
13 It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
13
You split open the sea by your power and broke the heads of the sea monster.
14 It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.
14
You smashed the heads of the monster Leviathan and gave him to the desert creatures as food.
15 It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever-flowing rivers.
15
You opened up the springs and streams and made the flowing rivers run dry.
16 The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.
16
Both the day and the night are yours; you made the sun and the moon.
17 It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.
17
You set all the limits on the earth; you created summer and winter.
18 Remember how the enemy has mocked you, LORD, how foolish people have reviled your name.
18
Lord, remember how the enemy insulted you. Remember how those foolish people made fun of you.
19 Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever.
19
Do not give us, your doves, to those wild animals. Never forget your poor people.
20 Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.
20
Remember the agreement you made with us, because violence fills every dark corner of this land.
21 Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name.
21
Do not let your suffering people be disgraced. Let the poor and helpless praise you.
22 Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long.
22
God, arise and defend yourself. Remember the insults that come from those foolish people all day long.
23 Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.
23
Don't forget what your enemies said; don't forget their roar as they rise against you always.