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A Contemplation of Asaph. O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?
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Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed-- This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.
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Lift up Your feet to the perpetual desolations. The enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary.
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Your enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place; They set up their banners for signs.
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They seem like men who lift up Axes among the thick trees.
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And now they break down its carved work, all at once, With axes and hammers.
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They have set fire to Your sanctuary; They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name to the ground.
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They said in their hearts, "Let us destroy them altogether." They have burned up all the meeting places of God in the land.
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We do not see our signs; There is no longer any prophet; Nor is there any among us who knows how long.
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O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever?
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Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them.
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For God is my King from of old, Working salvation in the midst of the earth.
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You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters.
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You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces, And gave him as food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
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You broke open the fountain and the flood; You dried up mighty rivers.
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The day is Yours, the night also is Yours; You have prepared the light and the sun.
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You have set all the borders of the earth; You have made summer and winter.
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Remember this, that the enemy has reproached, O Lord, And that a foolish people has blasphemed Your name.
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Oh, do not deliver the life of Your turtledove to the wild beast! Do not forget the life of Your poor forever.
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Have respect to the covenant; For the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty.
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Oh, do not let the oppressed return ashamed! Let the poor and needy praise Your name.
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Arise, O God, plead Your own cause; Remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily.
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Do not forget the voice of Your enemies; The tumult of those who rise up against You increases continually.