Psalm 44
We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us
: what things you did in their time, in the days of old;
How by your own hand you drove out the nations, and planted us in
: how you crushed the peoples, but caused us to root and grow.
For it was not by their swords that our fathers took possession of the land
: nor did their own arm get them the victory,
But your right hand, your arm, and the light of your countenance
: because you delighted in them.
You are my king and my God
: who ordained victory for Jacob.
By your power we struck our enemies through
: in your name we trod down those that rose against us.
For I did not trust in my bow
: nor could my sword save me;
But it was you that delivered us from our enemies
: and put our adversaries to confusion.
In God we made our boast all the day long
: we gave thanks to your name without ceasing.
But now you have cast us off and brought us to shame
: you go not out with our armies.
You have caused us to show our backs to the enemy
: so that our foes plunder us at will.
You have given us like sheep to be butchered
: you have scattered us among the nations.
You have sold your people for nothing
: and made a profitless bargain.
You have made us a laughing-stock to our neighbours
: mocked and held in derision by those about us.
You have made us a byword among the nations
: so that the peoples toss their heads in scorn.
My disgrace is before me all the day
: and shame has covered my face,
At the voice of the slanderer and reviler
: at the sight of the enemy and avenger.
All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten you
: we have not betrayed your covenant.
Our hearts have not turned back
: nor have our steps strayed from your paths.
And yet you have crushed us in the haunt of jackals
: and covered us with the shadow of death.
If we had forgotten the name of our God
: or stretched out our hands in prayer to some strange god,
Would not God search it out?
: for he knows the very secrets of the heart.
But for your sake are we killed all the day long
: we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rouse yourself, O Lord, why do you sleep?
: awake, do not cast us off for ever.
Why do you hide your face
: and forget our misery and our affliction?
Our souls are bowed to the dust
: our bellies cleave to the ground.
Arise, O Lord, to help us
: and redeem us for your mercy’s sake.