Maschilof Asaph. O God, whyhast thou cast us offforever? why doth thine angersmokeagainst the sheepof thy pasture? Rememberthy congregation, which thou hast purchasedof old; the rodof thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; thismountZion, wherein thou hast dwelt. Lift upthy feetunto the perpetualdesolations; even all that the enemyhath done wickedlyin the sanctuary. Thine enemiesroarin the midstof thy congregations; they set uptheir ensigns for signs. A man was famousaccording as he had lifted upaxesupon the thicktrees. But nowthey break downthe carved workthereof at oncewith axesand hammers. They have castfireinto thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling placeof thy nameto the ground. They saidin their hearts, Let us destroythem together: they have burned upallthe synagoguesof Godin the land. We seenotour signs: there is nomoreany prophet: neither is there amongus any that knowethhow long. O God, how longshall the adversaryreproach? shall the enemyblasphemethy nameforever? Whywithdrawestthou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out ofthy bosom. For God is my Kingof old, workingsalvationin the midstof the earth. Thoudidst dividethe seaby thy strength: thou didst breakthe headsof the dragonsinthe waters. Thoudidst breakthe headsof leviathanin pieces, and gavesthim to be meatto the peopleinhabiting the wilderness. Thoudidst cleavethe fountainand the flood: thoudriedst upmightyrivers. The day is thine, the nightalso is thine: thouhast preparedthe lightand the sun. Thouhast setallthe bordersof the earth: thouhast madesummerand winter. Rememberthis, that the enemyhath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolishpeoplehave blasphemedthy name. O delivernotthe soulof thy turtledoveunto the multitude of the wicked : forgetnotthe congregationof thy poorforever. Have respectunto the covenant: forthe dark placesof the earthare fullof the habitationsof cruelty. O let notthe oppressedreturnashamed: let the poorand needypraisethy name. Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: rememberhowthe foolish manreproacheththee daily. Forgetnotthe voiceof thine enemies: the tumultof those that rise up againstthee increasethcontinually.