1 A n Instruction of Asaph. Why, O God, hast Thou cast off for ever? Thine anger smoketh against the flock of Thy pasture.

2 R emember Thy company. Thou didst purchase of old, Thou didst redeem the rod of Thy inheritance, This mount Zion -- Thou didst dwell in it.

3 L ift up Thy steps to the perpetual desolations, Everything the enemy did wickedly in the sanctuary.

4 R oared have thine adversaries, In the midst of Thy meeting-places, They have set their ensigns as ensigns.

5 H e is known as one bringing in on high Against a thicket of wood -- axes.

6 A nd now, its carvings together With axe and hatchet they break down,

7 T hey have sent into fire Thy sanctuary, to the earth they polluted the tabernacle of Thy name,

8 T hey said in their hearts, `Let us oppress them together,' They did burn all the meeting-places of God in the land.

9 O ur ensigns we have not seen, There is no more a prophet, Nor with us is one knowing how long.

10 T ill when, O God, doth an adversary reproach? Doth an enemy despise thy name for ever?

11 W hy dost Thou turn back Thy hand, Even Thy right hand? From the midst of Thy bosom remove.

12 A nd God my king of old, Working salvation in the midst of the earth.

13 T hou hast broken by Thy strength a sea-, Thou hast shivered Heads of dragons by the waters,

14 T hou hast broken the heads of leviathan, Thou makest him food, For the people of the dry places.

15 T hou hast cleaved a fountain and a stream, Thou hast dried up perennial flowings.

16 T hine the day, also Thine the night, Thou hast prepared a light giver -- the sun.

17 T hou hast set up all the borders of earth, Summer and winter Thou hast formed them.

18 R emember this -- an enemy reproached Jehovah, And a foolish people have despised Thy name.

19 G ive not up to a company, The soul of Thy turtle-dove, The company of Thy poor ones forget not for ever.

20 L ook attentively to the covenant, For the dark places of earth, Have been full of habitations of violence.

21 L et not the oppressed turn back ashamed, Let the poor and needy praise Thy name,

22 A rise, O God, plead Thy plea, Remember Thy reproach from a fool all the day.

23 F orget not the voice of Thine adversaries, The noise of Thy withstanders is going up continually!