Psalm 74 (Tate & Brady)

1 Why hast thou cast us off, O God?

wilt thou no more return?

O why against thy chosen flock

does thy fierce anger burn?

2 Think on thy ancient purchase, Lord,

the land that is thy own;

By thee redeemed, and Zion's mount,

where once thy glory shone.

3 O come, and view our ruined state!

how long our troubles last!

See how the foe, with wicked rage,

has laid thy temple waste.

4 Thy foes blaspheme thy Name, where late

thy zealous servants prayed;

The heathen there, with haughty pomp,

their banners have displayed.

5,6 Those curious carvings, which did once

advance the artist's fame,

With ax and hammer they destroy,

like works of vulgar frame.

7 Thy holy temple they have burnt:

and what escaped the flame

Has been profaned, and quite defaced,

though sacred to thy Name.

8 Thy worship wholly to destroy

maliciously they aimed;

And all the sacred places burned,

where we thy praise proclaimed.

9 Yet of thy presence thou vouchsaf'st

no tender signs to send;

We have no prophet now, that knows

When this sad state shall end.

The Second Part.

10 But, Lord, how long wilt thou permit

th' insulting foe to boast?

Shall all the honor of thy Name

for evermore be lost?

11 Why holdst thou back thy strong right hand,

and on thy patient breast,

When vengeance calls to stretch it forth,

so calmly lett'st it rest?

12 Thou heretofore, with kingly pow'r,

in our defense hast fought;

For us, throughout the wond'ring world,

hast great salvation wrought.

13 'Twas thou, O God, that didst the sea

by thy own strength divide;

Thou brak'st the wat'ry monster's head,

the waves o'erwhelmed their pride.

14 The greatest, fiercest of them all,

that seemed the deep to sway,

Was by thy pow'r destroyed, and made

to savage beasts a prey.

15 Thou clav'st the solid rock, and mad'st

the waters largely flow;

Again thou mad'st through parting streams

thy wond'ring people go.

16 Thine is the cheerful day, and thine

the black return of night;

Thou hast prepared the glorious sun,

and ev'ry feebler light:

17 By thee the borders of the earth

in perfect order stand;

The summer's warmth, and winter's cold,

attend on thy command.

The Third Part.

18 Remember, Lord, how scornful foes

have daily urged our shame;

And how the foolish people have

blasphemed thy holy Name.

19 O free thy mourning turtle-dove,

by sinful crowds beset;

Nor the assembly of thy poor

forevermore forget.

20 Thy ancient covenant, Lord, regard,

and make thy promise good;

For now each corner of the land

is filled with men of blood.

21 O let not the oppressed return

with sorrow clothed and shame;

But let the helpless and the poor

for ever praise thy Name.

22 Arise, O God, in our behalf,

thy cause and ours maintain;

Remember how insulting fools

Each day thy Name profane!

23 Make thou the boastings of thy foes

for evermore to cease;

Whose insolence, if unchastised,

Will more and more increase.