Psalm 44-45

New Living Translation

¹ O God, we have heard it with our own ears—
    our ancestors have told us
of all you did in their day,
    in days long ago:
² You drove out the pagan nations by your power
    and gave all the land to our ancestors.
You crushed their enemies
    and set our ancestors free.
³ They did not conquer the land with their swords;
    it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory.
It was your right hand and strong arm
    and the blinding light from your face that helped them,
    for you loved them.

⁴ You are my King and my God.
    You command victories for Israel.^[b]
5 Only by your power can we push back our enemies;
    only in your name can we trample our foes.
⁶ I do not trust in my bow;
    I do not count on my sword to save me.
⁷ You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies;
    you disgrace those who hate us.
⁸ O God, we give glory to you all day long
    and constantly praise your name. Interlude

⁹ But now you have tossed us aside in dishonor.
    You no longer lead our armies to battle.
¹⁰ You make us retreat from our enemies
    and allow those who hate us to plunder our land.
¹¹ You have butchered us like sheep
    and scattered us among the nations.
¹² You sold your precious people for a pittance,
    making nothing on the sale.
¹³ You let our neighbors mock us.
    We are an object of scorn and derision to those around us.
¹⁴ You have made us the butt of their jokes;
    they shake their heads at us in scorn.
¹⁵ We can’t escape the constant humiliation;
    shame is written across our faces.
¹⁶ All we hear are the taunts of our mockers.
    All we see are our vengeful enemies.

¹⁷ All this has happened though we have not forgotten you.
    We have not violated your covenant.
¹⁸ Our hearts have not deserted you.
    We have not strayed from your path.
¹⁹ Yet you have crushed us in the jackal’s desert home.
    You have covered us with darkness and death.
²⁰ If we had forgotten the name of our God
    or spread our hands in prayer to foreign gods,
²¹ God would surely have known it,
    for he knows the secrets of every heart.
²² But for your sake we are killed every day;
    we are being slaughtered like sheep.

²³ Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep?
    Get up! Do not reject us forever.
²⁴ Why do you look the other way?
    Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression?
²⁵ We collapse in the dust,
    lying face down in the dirt.
²⁶ Rise up! Help us!
    Ransom us because of your unfailing love.

¹ Beautiful words stir my heart.
    I will recite a lovely poem about the king,
    for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.

² You are the most handsome of all.
    Gracious words stream from your lips.
    God himself has blessed you forever.
³ Put on your sword, O mighty warrior!
    You are so glorious, so majestic!
⁴ In your majesty, ride out to victory,
    defending truth, humility, and justice.
    Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!
⁵ Your arrows are sharp, piercing your enemies’ hearts.
    The nations fall beneath your feet.

⁶ Your throne, O God,^[d] endures forever and ever.
    You rule with a scepter of justice.
⁷ You love justice and hate evil.
    Therefore God, your God, has anointed you,
    pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.
⁸ Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume your robes.
    In ivory palaces the music of strings entertains you.
⁹ Kings’ daughters are among your noble women.
    At your right side stands the queen,
    wearing jewelry of finest gold from Ophir!

¹⁰ Listen to me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say.
    Forget your people and your family far away.
¹¹ For your royal husband delights in your beauty;
    honor him, for he is your lord.
¹² The princess of Tyre^[e] will shower you with gifts.
    The wealthy will beg your favor.
¹³ The bride, a princess, looks glorious
    in her golden gown.
¹⁴ In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king,
    accompanied by her bridesmaids.
¹⁵ What a joyful and enthusiastic procession
    as they enter the king’s palace!

¹⁶ Your sons will become kings like their father.
    You will make them rulers over many lands.
¹⁷ I will bring honor to your name in every generation.
    Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever.