For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. A contemplative psalm.
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1We have heard with our ears, God;
- our fathers have told us,
- what work you did in their days,
- in the days of old.
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2You drove out the nations with your hand,
- but you planted them.
- You afflicted the peoples,
- but you spread them abroad.
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3For they didn’t get the land in possession by their own sword,
- neither did their own arm save them;
- but your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your face,
- because you were favorable to them.
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4You are my King, God.
- Command victories for Jacob!
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5Through you, will we push down our adversaries.
- Through your name, will we tread them under who rise up against us.
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6For I will not trust in my bow,
- neither shall my sword save me.
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7But you have saved us from our adversaries,
- and have shamed those who hate us.
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8In God we have made our boast all day long,
- we will give thanks to your name forever.
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9But now you rejected us, and brought us to dishonor,
- and don’t go out with our armies.
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10You make us turn back from the adversary.
- Those who hate us take spoil for themselves.
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11You have made us like sheep for food,
- and have scattered us among the nations.
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12You sell your people for nothing,
- and have gained nothing from their sale.
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13You make us a reproach to our neighbors,
- a scoffing and a derision to those who are around us.
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14You make us a byword among the nations,
- a shaking of the head among the peoples.
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15All day long my dishonor is before me,
- and shame covers my face,
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16At the taunt of one who reproaches and verbally abuses,
- because of the enemy and the avenger.
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17All this has come on us,
- yet have we not forgotten you,
- Neither have we been false to your covenant.
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18Our heart has not turned back,
- neither have our steps strayed from your path,
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19Though you have crushed us in the haunt of jackals,
- and covered us with the shadow of death.
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20If we have forgotten the name of our God,
- or spread forth our hands to a strange god;
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21won’t God search this out?
- For he knows the secrets of the heart.
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22Yes, for your sake we are killed all day long.
- We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.
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23Wake up!
- Why do you sleep, Lord?
- Arise!
- Don’t reject us forever.
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24Why do you hide your face,
- and forget our affliction and our oppression?
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25For our soul is bowed down to the dust.
- Our body clings to the earth.
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26Rise up to help us.
- Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake.