For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.b
1 We have heard it with our ears, O God;
our ancestors have told us
what you did in their days,
in days long ago.
and planted our ancestors;
you crushed the peoples
and made our ancestors flourish.
nor did their arm bring them victory;
it was your right hand, your arm,
and the light of your face, for you loved them.
who decreesc victories for Jacob.
through your name we trample our foes.
my sword does not bring me victory;
you put our adversaries to shame.
and we will praise your name forever.d
you no longer go out with our armies.
and our adversaries have plundered us.
and have scattered us among the nations.
gaining nothing from their sale.
the scorn and derision of those around us.
the peoples shake their heads at us.
and my face is covered with shame
because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.
though we had not forgotten you;
we had not been false to your covenant.
our feet had not strayed from your path.
you covered us over with deep darkness.
or spread out our hands to a foreign god,
since he knows the secrets of the heart?
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever.
and forget our misery and oppression?
our bodies cling to the ground.
rescue us because of your unfailing love.