Psalm 74:1-11

Other Translations of Psalm 74:1-11

King James Version

An Appeal to God against the Enemy

74¹ O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture? ² Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod rod: or, tribe of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt. ³ Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary. ⁴ Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs. ⁵ A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees. ⁶ But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers. ⁷ They have cast They have cast...: Heb. They have sent thy sanctuary unto the fire fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground. ⁸ They said in their hearts, Let us destroy destroy: Heb. break them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land. ⁹ We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long. 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 right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom.

English Standard Version

An Appeal to God against the Enemy

74¹ O God, why do you cast us off forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture? ² Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage! Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt. ³ Direct your steps to the perpetual ruins; the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary! ⁴ Your foes have roared in the midst of your meeting place; they set up their own signs for signs. ⁵ They were like those who swing axes in a forest of trees.The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain ⁶ And all its carved wood they broke down with hatchets and hammers. ⁷ They set your sanctuary on fire; they profaned the dwelling place of your name, bringing it down to the ground. ⁸ They said to themselves, "We will utterly subdue them"; they burned all the meeting places of God in the land. ⁹ We do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet, and there is none among us who knows how long. ¹⁰ How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever? ¹¹ Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the fold of your garmentHebrew from your bosom and destroy them!

The Message

An Appeal to God against the Enemy

74¹ You walked off and left us, and never looked back. God, how could you do that? We're your very own sheep; how can you stomp off in anger? ² Refresh your memory of us - you bought us a long time ago. Your most precious tribe - you paid a good price for us! Your very own Mount Zion - you actually lived here once! ³ Come and visit the site of disaster, see how they've wrecked the sanctuary. ⁴ While your people were at worship, your enemies barged in, brawling and scrawling graffiti. ⁵ They set fire to the porch; axes swinging, they chopped up the woodwork, ⁶ Beat down the doors with sledgehammers, then split them into kindling. ⁷ They burned your holy place to the ground, violated the place of worship. ⁸ They said to themselves, "We'll wipe them all out," and burned down all the places of worship. ⁹ There's not a sign or symbol of God in sight, nor anyone to speak in his name, no one who knows what's going on. ¹⁰ How long, God, will barbarians blaspheme, enemies curse and get by with it? ¹¹ Why don't you do something? How long are you going to sit there with your hands folded in your lap?

New King James Version

An Appeal to God against the Enemy

74¹ A Contemplation of Asaph. O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture? ² Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed-- This Mount Zion where You have dwelt. ³ Lift up Your feet to the perpetual desolations. The enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary. ⁴ Your enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place; They set up their banners for signs. ⁵ They seem like men who lift up Axes among the thick trees. ⁶ And now they break down its carved work, all at once, With axes and hammers. ⁷ They have set fire to Your sanctuary; They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name to the ground. ⁸ They said in their hearts, "Let us destroy them altogether." They have burned up all the meeting places of God in the land. ⁹ We do not see our signs; There is no longer any prophet; Nor is there any among us who knows how long. ¹⁰ O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever? ¹¹ Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them.

New Living Translation

An Appeal to God against the Enemy

74¹ O God, why have you rejected us so long? Why is your anger so intense against the sheep of your own pasture? ² Remember that we are the people you chose long ago, the tribe you redeemed as your own special possession! And remember Jerusalem, your home here on earth. ³ Walk through the awful ruins of the city; see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary. ⁴ There your enemies shouted their victorious battle cries; there they set up their battle standards. ⁵ They swung their axes like woodcutters in a forest. ⁶ With axes and picks, they smashed the carved paneling. ⁷ They burned your sanctuary to the ground. They defiled the place that bears your name. ⁸ Then they thought, "Let's destroy everything!" So they burned down all the places where God was worshiped. ⁹ We no longer see your miraculous signs. All the prophets are gone, and no one can tell us when it will end. ¹⁰ How long, O God, will you allow our enemies to insult you? Will you let them dishonor your name forever? ¹¹ Why do you hold back your strong right hand? Unleash your powerful fist and destroy them.