Psalm 44

Psalm 44

We’ve heard of all of it with our own ears,
O God; our ancestors, they told to us
that, what you did for them, in bygone years,
back in their days, the peoples that you crushed.

Was by your hand, the nations you drove out.
Our ancestors, you planted, flourishing
are they. Not by their sword, there is no doubt,
how they have won the land, their victory —

not by their arm, but rather, your right hand,
your arm, and by your countenance’s light,
for them, you loved — possessed them with the land.
You are my King, my God, the heavens write

of Jacob’s victories. Through you, we push
back all our enemies; and through your name,
we trample all our foes. I put no trust
in bow, nor sword, will victory, me, gain;

but you give vic’try o’er our enemies,
and put our adversaries all to shame.
In God we make our boast unceasingly.
Forever, all day long, we praise your name.

But you rejected, humbled us, complete.
No longer, armies, ours, accompany.
You made us to retreat from enemies.
Our adversaries and their plundering.

You gave us up to be devoured like sheep.
You scattered us among the nations wide.
Your people for a pittance, sold for cheap.
No profit from the sale that you derived.

You made us a reproach to neighbors ‘round.
We now are scorn, derision to them all.
We’re now a byword that the nations sound.
They shake their heads at us — they feel appalled.

I live in my disgrace all of my days.
My face with shame is covered like a tent.
Reviling and reproaching taunts they say —
my enemies, upon revenge are bent.

All this upon us came despite the fact
that we had not forgotten you; we had
not falsely, with your covenant, took acts.
Our hearts from you were never turning back.

Our feet not strayed, your designated path.
But yet you crushed us, for the jackals, haunts,
is what you made us. Darkness, in your wrath,
you deeply covered us. Our paths, you daunt.

If we’d forgotten that, his name, our God’s,
or to some foreign god we spread our hands,
if God had not discovered, something odd;
the secrets of our hearts, he understands.

Yet for your sake, we’re facing death all day;
like slaughtering for sheep, for us, in store.
Why do you sleep, LORD, please arise, awake!
Please rouse yourself; forever, don’t ignore.

Why do you hide your face? You soon forgot
our misery, oppression, that we feel.
Down to the dust, the place where we’ve been brought.
Your mercy on your servants please reveal.

Rise up and help us, saving from above.
Please rescue us for your unfailing love.