| New International Version | NET Bible |
| 1A maskil of Asaph. O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture? | 1A well-written song by Asaph. Why, O God, have you permanently rejected us? Why does your anger burn against the sheep of your pasture? |
| 2Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed-- Mount Zion, where you dwelt. | 2Remember your people whom you acquired in ancient times, whom you rescued so they could be your very own nation, as well as Mount Zion, where you dwell! |
| 3Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary. | 3Hurry and look at the permanent ruins, and all the damage the enemy has done to the temple! |
| 4Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs. | 4Your enemies roar in the middle of your sanctuary; they set up their battle flags. |
| 5They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees. | 5They invade like lumberjacks swinging their axes in a thick forest. |
| 6They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets. | 6And now they are tearing down all its engravings with axes and crowbars. |
| 7They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name. | 7They set your sanctuary on fire; they desecrate your dwelling place by knocking it to the ground. |
| 8They said in their hearts, "We will crush them completely!" They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land. | 8They say to themselves, "We will oppress all of them." They burn down all the places where people worship God in the land. |
| 9We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be. | 9We do not see any signs of God's presence; there are no longer any prophets and we have no one to tell us how long this will last. |
| 10How long will the enemy mock you, God? Will the foe revile your name forever? | 10How long, O God, will the adversary hurl insults? Will the enemy blaspheme your name forever? |
| 11Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them! | 11Why do you remain inactive? Intervene and destroy him! |
| 12But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth. | 12But God has been my king from ancient times, performing acts of deliverance on the earth. |
| 13It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters. | 13You destroyed the sea by your strength; you shattered the heads of the sea monster in the water. |
| 14It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert. | 14You crushed the heads of Leviathan; you fed him to the people who live along the coast. |
| 15It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever-flowing rivers. | 15You broke open the spring and the stream; you dried up perpetually flowing rivers. |
| 16The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. | 16You established the cycle of day and night; you put the moon and sun in place. |
| 17It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter. | 17You set up all the boundaries of the earth; you created the cycle of summer and winter. |
| 18Remember how the enemy has mocked you, LORD, how foolish people have reviled your name. | 18Remember how the enemy hurls insults, O LORD, and how a foolish nation blasphemes your name! |
| 19Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever. | 19Do not hand the life of your dove over to a wild animal! Do not continue to disregard the lives of your oppressed people! |
| 20Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land. | 20Remember your covenant promises, for the dark regions of the earth are full of places where violence rules. |
| 21Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name. | 21Do not let the afflicted be turned back in shame! Let the oppressed and poor praise your name! |
| 22Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long. | 22Rise up, O God! Defend your honor! Remember how fools insult you all day long! |
| 23Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually. | 23Do not disregard what your enemies say, or the unceasing shouts of those who defy you. |
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