Psalm 74

W. W. J. VanOene, 1972; rev.

1. O God, why dost Thou cast us off for aye?
   Why does Thy anger smoke in indignation
   Against Thy sheep? O come with Thy salvation!
   Bestow Thy grace on them and be their stay.
   
2. Remember Thou Thy people in Thy love,
   Thy heritage, of old by Thee selected,
   The congregation which Thou hast elected
   In Thy good pleasure, shown from heaven above.
   
3. Remember Zion’s mount, where Thou hast dwelt,
   And see Thou its perpetual desolations.
   See the destruction which the hostile nations
   Brought to the place where once Thy children knelt.
   
4. Within Thy holy place Thy foes did roar
   And in Thy temple they set up their banners;
   They broke it down with hatchets and with hammers
   And smashed the carvings that were there before.
   
5. They boldly set Thy holy shrine ablaze,
   Defiled the dwelling of Thy Name so glorious.
   They boasted that their might would be victorious;
   Each place of worship they did burn and raze.
   
6. We do not see our signs not one is left
   And by no prophet is Thy word now spoken.
   Is then the bond with Thee forever broken?
   How long shall we of com fort be bereft?
   
7. How long, O God, is still our foe to scoff?
   Shall the reviling of Thy Name cease never?
   Wilt Thou hold back Thy strong right hand forever?
   Withdraw it from Thy bosom! Cut him off!
   
8. Yet God, my King, is God and King of old
   And Thou throughout the earth hast worked salvation.
   The sea Thou hast divided for Thy nation
   And broken heads of dragons fierce and bold.
   
9. Thou, LORD, Leviathan’s proud heads hast crushed,
   Its flesh as food on desert beasts bestowing.
   Thou didst cleave open fountains ever-flowing
   And dry up streams where mighty waters rushed.
   
10. Thine is the day, Thine also is the night;
    Sun, moon, and stars hast Thou set in the heavens.
    To all the earth Thou boundaries hast given;
    The seasons were established by Thy might.
    
11. Remember, LORD, the scoffing of our foes;
    Hear how Thy Name is taunted by the wicked!
    Yield not Thy dove to beast from field and thicket,
    Do not forget Thy children in their woes.
    
12. Now for Thy cov’nant have, O LORD, regard,
    For terror reigns in all the land’s dark places.
    Put not to shame but safeguard from disgraces
    Thy poor and needy. Let them praise Thee, LORD!
    
13. Rise up, O God, rise and defend Thy cause:
    Do not forget the sneers of all Thy scoffers,
    The clamor which is all the godless offer,
    The uproar which Thy foes make without pause.