God

Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who adulterously leave you.

But for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made Adonai ELOHIM my refuge, so that I can tell of all your works.

A maskil of Asaf: Why have you rejected us forever, God, with your anger smoking against the sheep you once pastured?

Remember your community, which you acquired long ago, the tribe you redeemed to be your very own. Remember Mount Tziyon, where you came to live.

Hurry your steps to these endless ruins, to the sanctuary devastated by the enemy.

The roar of your foes filled your meeting-place; they raised their own banners as a sign of their conquest.

They set your sanctuary on fire, tore down and profaned the abode of your name.

They said to themselves, "We will oppress them completely."They have burned down all God's meeting-places in the land.

How much longer, God, will the foe jeer at us? Will the enemy insult your name forever?

Why do you hold back your hand? Draw your right hand from your coat, and finish them off!

God has been my king from earliest times, acting to save throughout all the earth.

By your strength you split the sea in two, in the water you smashed sea monsters' heads,

You cut channels for springs and streams, you dried up rivers that had never failed.

The day is yours, and the night is yours; it was you who established light and sun.

It was you who fixed all the limits of the earth, you made summer and winter.

Remember how the enemy scoffs at ADONAI, how a brutish people insults your name.

Don't hand over the soul of your dove to wild beasts, don't forget forever the life of your poor.

Don't let the oppressed retreat in confusion; let the poor and needy praise your name.

Arise, God, and defend your cause; remember how brutish men insult you all day.

Don't forget what your foes are saying, the ever-rising uproar of your adversaries.

For the leader. Set to "Do Not Destroy!"A psalm of Asaf. A song: We give thanks to you, God, we give thanks; your name is near, people tell of your wonders.

"At the time of my own choice, I will dispense justice fairly.

When the earth quakes, with all living on it, it is I who hold its support-pillars firm."(Selah)

To the boastful I say, "Do not boast!"and to the wicked, "Don't flaunt your strength!

since God is the judge; and it is he who puts down one and lifts up another.