1 O GOD, why hast thou cast us off for ever? Why hath thine anger become inflamed against the sheep of thy flock?

2 Remember thy congregation which thou hast possessed of old; the tribe of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.

3 Exalt thy servants over those who are carried away by power; all those who oppress are enemies of thy sanctuary.

4 Thine enemies exalted themselves in the midst of thy feasts; they set up their banners for signs.

5 Thou knowest this as the exalted one who sits on high: they have hewn down the doors with axes as they would cut the trees of the forest.

6 They have destroyed everything with axes and hammers.

7 They have set fire to and burned thy sanctuary; they have defiled the dwelling place of thy name on earth.

8 They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together; let us abolish all the feast days of God from the land.

9 They did not see the wonders thereof; for there is no more any prophet, neither is there among us any wise man.

10 O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?

11 Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy strength from the midst of thy congregation?