Dual PanelA prayer for help
1Our God, our ancestors told us what wonders you worked and we listened carefully.
2You chased off the nations by causing them trouble with your powerful arm. Then you let our ancestors take over their land.
3Their strength and weapons were not what won the land and gave them victory! You loved them and fought with your powerful arm and your shining glory.
4You are my God and King, and you give victory to the people of Jacob.
5By your great power, we knocked our enemies down and trampled on them.
6I don't depend on my arrows or my sword to save me.
7But you saved us from our hateful enemies, and you put them to shame.
8We boast about you, our God, and we are always grateful.
9But now you have rejected us; you don't lead us into battle, and we look foolish.
10You made us retreat, and our enemies have taken everything we own.
11You let us be slaughtered like sheep, and you scattered us among the nations.
12You sold your people for little or nothing, and you earned no profit.
13You made us look foolish to our neighbours, and people who live nearby insult us and sneer.
14Foreigners joke about us and shake their heads.
15I am embarrassed every day, and I blush with shame.
16But others mock and sneer, as they watch my enemies take revenge on me.
17All of this has happened to us, though we didn't forget you or break our agreement.
18We always kept you in mind and followed your teaching.
19But you crushed us, and you covered us with deepest darkness where wild animals live.
20We did not forget you or lift our hands in prayer to foreign gods.
21You would have known it because you discover every secret thought.
22We face death all day for you. We are like sheep on their way to be slaughtered.
23Wake up! Do something, Lord! Why are you sleeping? Don't desert us for ever.
24Why do you keep looking away? Don't forget our sufferings and all our troubles.
25We are flat on the ground, holding on to the dust.
26Do something! Help us! Show how kind you are and come to our rescue.