1An Instruction of Asaph. O God, have You cast [us] off forever? Will Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture? 2Remember Your congregation, [which] You have purchased of old, the rod of Your inheritance which You have redeemed; this mount Zion in [which] You have dwelt. 3Lift up Your feet to the never-ending ruins, even all that the enemy has done wickedly in the sanctuary. 4Your enemies roar in the midst of Your congregation; they set up their own banners [for] signs. 5He is known as one bringing axes on high, on the thick trees. 6And now all its carvings too, they break down with axes and hammers. 7They have cast fire into Your sanctuary; they have defiled the dwelling-place of Your name to the ground. 8They said in their hearts, Together let us rage against them; they have burned up all God's meeting-places in the land. 9We did not see our signs; [there is] no prophet any more; neither [is there] among us any who knows how long. 10O God, how long shall the enemy speak evil? Shall the enemy blaspheme Your name forever? 11Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Draw [it] out of Your bosom. 12For God [is] my king of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth, 13You divide the sea by Your strength; You break the heads of the sea-monsters in the waters. 14You cracked open the heads of leviathan, and gave him to [be food] to the people living in the wilderness. 15You divide the fountain and the flood; You dry up mighty rivers. 16The day [is] Yours, the night also [is] Yours; You have prepared the light and the sun. 17You have set all the borders of the earth; You have made summer and winter. 18Remember this, the enemy has cursed, O LORD, and the foolish people have blasphemed Your name. 19Do not deliver the soul of Your turtle dove to the multitude; forget not the congregation of Your poor forever. 20Look to the covenant; for the dark places of the earth are full of the houses of evil. 21Oh let not the ill-treated ones return ashamed; let the poor and needy praise Your name. 22Arise, O God, plead Your own cause; remember how the foolish man curses You daily. 23Forget not the voice of Your enemies; the noise of those who rise up against You keeps on increasing.