O Yahweh, Remember Us!

1Remember, O Yahweh, what has happened to us;

Look, and see our reproach!

2Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers,

Our houses to foreigners.

3We have become orphans without a father;

Our mothers are like widows.

4We drink our water by means of silver;

Our wood comes to us at a price.

5[†]Our pursuers are at our necks;

We are worn out; there is no rest for us.

6We have given over our [†]hands to Egypt and Assyria [†]to get enough bread.

7Our fathers sinned; they are no more;

It is we who have borne their iniquities.

8Slaves rule over us;

There is no one to tear us away from their hand.

9We get our bread [†]at the risk of our lives

[†]Because of the sword in the wilderness.

10Our skin has become as hot as an oven

Because of [†]the burning heat of famine.

11They violated the women in Zion,

The virgins in the cities of Judah.

12Princes were hung by their hands;

[†]Elders were not respected.

13Young men lifted up the stone at the grinding mill,

And youths stumbled down under loads of wood.

14Elders have ceased from being at the gate,

Young men from their music.

15The joy of our hearts has ceased;

Our dancing has been turned into mourning.

16The crown has fallen from our head;

Woe to us, for we have sinned!

17Because of this our heart is faint;

Because of these things our eyes are dim;

18Because of Mount Zion which lies desolate,

Foxes walk about in it.

19You, O Yahweh, sit enthroned forever;

Your throne is from generation to generation.

20Why do You forget us forever?

Why do You forsake us [†]so long?

21Cause us to return to You, O Yahweh, that we may be returned;

Renew our days as of old,

22Even if You have utterly rejected us

And are exceedingly angry with us.