44 We
have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou
didst in their days, in the times of old. 2 How
thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how
thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. 3 For
they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their
own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of
thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. 4 Thou
art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. 5 Through
thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them
under that rise up against us. 6 For
I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. 7 But
thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated
us. 8 In
God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. 9 But
thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our
armies. 10 Thou
makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for
themselves. 11 Thou
hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among
the heathen. 12 Thou
sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their
price.
13
Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them
that are round about us. 14 Thou
makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people. 15 My
confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered
me, 16 For
the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy
and avenger. 17 All
this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt
falsely in thy covenant. 18 Our
heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; 19 Though
thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the
shadow of death. 20 If
we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange
god; 21 Shall
not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. 22 Yea,
for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for
the slaughter. 23 Awake,
why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever. 24 Wherefore
hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression? 25 For
our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth. 26 Arise
for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.