Psalms 74; Psalms 75; Psalms 76; Psalms 77

1 God, why have you turned your back on us for so long? Why does your anger burn against us? We are your very own sheep.

2 Remember that you chose us to be your own people a long time ago. Remember that you set us free from slavery to be your very own tribe. Remember Mount Zion, where you lived.

3 Walk through this place that has been torn down beyond repair. See how completely your enemies have destroyed the temple!

4 In the place where you used to meet with us, your enemies have shouted, "We've won the battle!" They have set up their flags to show they have beaten us.

5 They acted like people cutting down a forest with axes.

6 They smashed all of the beautiful wooden walls with their axes and hatchets.

7 They burned your temple to the ground. They polluted the place where your Name is.

8 They had said in their hearts, "We will crush them completely!" They burned every place where you were worshiped in the land.

9 You don't give us miraculous signs anymore. There aren't any prophets left. None of us knows how long that will last.

10 God, how long will your enemies make fun of you? Will they attack you with their words forever?

11 Why don't you help us? Why do you hold back your powerful right hand? Use your strong arms to destroy your enemies!

12 God, you have been my king for a long time. The whole earth has seen you save us over and over again.

13 You parted the Red Sea by your power. You broke the heads of that sea monster in Egypt.

14 You crushed the heads of the sea monster Leviathan. You fed it to the creatures of the desert.

15 You opened up streams and springs. You dried up rivers that flow all year long.

16 You rule over the day and the night. You created the sun and the moon.

17 You decided where the borders of the earth would be. You made both summer and winter.

18 Lord, remember how your enemies have made fun of you. Remember how foolish people have attacked you with their words.

19 Don't hand Israel, your dove, over to those wild animals. Don't forget your suffering people forever.

20 Honor the covenant you made with us. Horrible things are happening in every dark corner of the land.

21 Don't let your suffering people be put to shame. May those who are poor and needy praise you.

22 God, rise up. Stand up for your cause. Remember how foolish people make fun of you all day long.

23 Pay close attention to the shouts of your enemies. The trouble they cause never stops.

1 God, we give thanks to you. We give thanks because your Name is near. People talk about the wonderful things you have done.

2 You say, "I choose the appointed time to judge people. And I judge them fairly.

3 When the earth and all of its people tremble, I keep everything from falling to pieces. "Selah"

4 To the proud I say, 'Don't brag anymore.' To sinners I say, 'Don't show off your power.

5 Don't show it off against me. Don't speak with your noses in the air.' "

6 No one from east or west or north or south can act as judge.

7 God is the One who judges. He says to one person, "You are guilty." To another he says, "You are not guilty."

8 In the hand of the LORD is a cup. It is full of wine mixed with spices. It is the wine of his anger. He pours it out. All of the evil people on earth drink it down to the very last drop.

9 I will speak about this forever. I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.

10 God will destroy the power of all sinful people. But he will make godly people more powerful.

1 In the land of Judah, God is known. His name is great in Israel.

2 His tent is in Jerusalem. The place where he lives is on Mount Zion.

3 There he broke the deadly arrows of his enemies. He broke their shields and swords. He broke their weapons of war. "Selah"

4 God, you shine like a very bright light. You are more majestic than mountains full of wild animals.

5 Brave soldiers have been robbed of everything they had. Now they lie there, sleeping in death. Not one of them can even lift his hands.

6 God of Jacob, at your command both horse and chariot lie still.

7 People should have respect for you alone. Who can stand in front of you when you are angry?

8 From heaven you handed down your sentence. The land was afraid and became quiet.

9 God, that happened when you rose up to judge. It happened when you came to save all of your suffering people in the land. "Selah"

10 Your anger against sinners brings you praise. Those who live through your anger gather to worship you.

11 Make promises to the LORD your God and keep them. Let all of the neighboring nations bring gifts to the One who should be respected.

12 He breaks the proud spirit of rulers. The kings of the earth have respect for him.

1 I cried out to God for help. I cried out to God to hear me.

2 When I was in trouble, I looked to the Lord. During the night I lifted up my hands in prayer. But I refused to be comforted.

3 God, I remembered you, and I groaned. I thought about you, and I became weak. "Selah"

4 You kept me from going to sleep. I was so troubled I couldn't speak.

5 I thought about days gone by. I thought about the years of long ago.

6 I remembered how I used to sing praise to you in the night. I thought about it, and here is what I asked myself.

7 "Will the Lord turn away from us forever? Won't he ever show us his kindness again?

8 Has his faithful love disappeared forever? Has his promise failed for all time?

9 Has God forgotten to show us his favor? Has he held back his tender love because he was angry?" "Selah"

10 Then I thought, "Here is what I will make my appeal to. For many years the Most High God showed how powerful his right hand is."

11 Lord, I will remember what you did. Yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

12 I will spend time thinking about everything you have done. I will consider all of your mighty acts.

13 God, everything you do is holy. What god is so great as our God?

14 You are the God who does miracles. You show your power among the nations.

15 With your mighty arm you set your people free. You set the children of Jacob and Joseph free. "Selah"

16 God, the water of the Red Sea saw you. It saw you and boiled up. The deepest waters were stirred up.

17 The clouds poured down rain. The skies rumbled with thunder. Lightning flashed back and forth like arrows.

18 Your thunder was heard in the windstorm. Your lightning lit up the world. The earth trembled and shook.

19 Your path led through the Red Sea. You walked through the mighty waters. But your footprints were not seen.

20 You led your people like a flock. You led them by the hands of Moses and Aaron.