A contemplation by Asaph.
[74:1] God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture? [74:2] Remember your congregation, which you purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your inheritance; Mount Zion, in which you have lived. [74:3] Lift up your feet to the perpetual ruins, all the evil that the enemy has done in the sanctuary. [74:4] Your adversaries have roared in the midst of your assembly. They have set up their standards as signs. [74:5] They behaved like men wielding axes, cutting through a thicket of trees. [74:6] Now they break all its carved work down with hatchet and hammers. [74:7] They have burned your sanctuary to the ground. They have profaned the dwelling place of your Name. [74:8] They said in their heart, "We will crush them completely." They have burned up all the places in the land where God was worshiped. [74:9] We see no miraculous signs. There is no longer any prophet, neither is there among us anyone who knows how long. [74:10] How long, God, shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme your name forever? [74:11] Why do you draw back your hand, even your right hand? Take it out of your pocket and consume them! [74:12] Yet God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. [74:13] You divided the sea by your strength. You broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters. [74:14] You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces. You gave him as food to people and desert creatures. [74:15] You opened up spring and stream. You dried up mighty rivers. [74:16] The day is yours, the night is also yours. You have prepared the light and the sun. [74:17] You have set all the boundaries of the earth. You have made summer and winter. [74:18] Remember this, that the enemy has mocked you, Yahweh. Foolish people have blasphemed your name. [74:19] Don't deliver the soul of your dove to wild beasts. Don't forget the life of your poor forever. [74:20] Honor your covenant, for haunts of violence fill the dark places of the earth. [74:21] Don't let the oppressed return ashamed. Let the poor and needy praise your name. [74:22] Arise, God! Plead your own cause. Remember how the foolish man mocks you all day. [74:23] Don't forget the voice of your adversaries. The tumult of those who rise up against you ascends continually.
Psalm 75
For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." A Psalm by Asaph. A song.
[75:1] We give thanks to you, God. We give thanks, for your Name is near. Men tell about your wondrous works. [75:2] When I choose the appointed time, I will judge blamelessly. [75:3] The earth and all its inhabitants quake. I firmly hold its pillars. Selah. [75:4] I said to the arrogant, "Don't boast!" I said to the wicked, "Don't lift up the horn. [75:5] Don't lift up your horn on high. Don't speak with a stiff neck." [75:6] For neither from the east, nor from the west, nor yet from the south, comes exaltation. [75:7] But God is the judge. He puts down one, and lifts up another. [75:8] For in the hand of Yahweh there is a cup, full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours it out. Indeed the wicked of the earth drink and drink it to its very dregs. [75:9] But I will declare this forever: I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. [75:10] I will cut off all the horns of the wicked, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.
Psalm 76
For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm by Asaph. A song.
[76:1] In Judah, God is known. His name is great in Israel. [76:2] His tent is also in Salem; His dwelling place in Zion. [76:3] There he broke the flaming arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah. [76:4] Glorious are you, and excellent, more than mountains of game. [76:5] Valiant men lie plundered, they have slept their last sleep. None of the men of war can lift their hands. [76:6] At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both chariot and horse are cast into a deep sleep. [76:7] You, even you, are to be feared. Who can stand in your sight when you are angry? [76:8] You pronounced judgment from heaven. The earth feared, and was silent, [76:9] when God arose to judgment, to save all the afflicted ones of the earth. Selah. [76:10] Surely the wrath of man praises you. The survivors of your wrath are restrained. [76:11] Make vows to Yahweh your God, and fulfill them! Let all of his neighbors bring presents to him who is to be feared. [76:12] He will cut off the spirit of princes. He is feared by the kings of the earth.
Psalm 77
For the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm by Asaph.