1For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. A contemplative psalm.
2We have heard with our ears, God; our fathers have told us what work you did in their days, in the days of old.
3You drove out the nations with your hand, but you planted them. You afflicted the peoples, but you spread them abroad.
4For they didn't get the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, because you were favorable to them.
5God, you are my King. Command victories for Jacob!
6Through you, we will push down our adversaries. Through your name, we will tread down those who rise up against us.
7For I will not trust in my bow, neither will my sword save me.
8But you have saved us from our adversaries, and have shamed those who hate us.
9In God we have made our boast all day long. We will give thanks to your name forever. Selah.
10But now you rejected us, and brought us to dishonor, and don't go out with our armies.
11You make us turn back from the adversary. Those who hate us take plunder for themselves.
12You have made us like sheep for food, and have scattered us among the nations.
13You sell your people for nothing, and have gained nothing from their sale.
14You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scoffing and a derision to those who are around us.
15You make us a byword among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples.
16All day long my dishonor is before me, and shame covers my face,
17at the taunt of one who reproaches and verbally abuses, because of the enemy and the avenger.
18All this has come on us, yet we haven't forgotten you. We haven't been false to your covenant.
19Our heart has not turned back, neither have our steps strayed from your path,
20though you have crushed us in the haunt of jackals, and covered us with the shadow of death.
21If we have forgotten the name of our God, or spread out our hands to a strange god,
22won't God search this out? For he knows the secrets of the heart.
23Yes, for your sake we are killed all day long. We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.
24Wake up! Why do you sleep, Lord? Arise! Don't reject us forever.
25Why do you hide your face, and forget our affliction and our oppression?
26For our soul is bowed down to the dust. Our body clings to the earth.
27Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness' sake.
