though at times it seems your anger does smolder
against the sheep of your pasture.
Remember the people you purchased years ago,
the tribe of your inheritance, whom you redeemed—
your flock, your dwelling.
Turn your steps toward our winding way,
and save us from wandering.
Our enemy prowls about like a roaring lion,
so adept at picking us off one by one and two by two,
setting us against each other
and pointing our attention at everything but you!
We can be so good at messing things up,
so destructive when we get suspicious
and seek our own way
and step across healthy boundaries.
Yet you have done miracles;
you have spoken through your prophets,
you have shown yourself to your people.
How long will the enemy mock you, O God?
Will the foe revile your name forever?
Do not hold back your hand, your right hand;
Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy the works of the Enemy!
You, O God, are my king from of old;
you bring salvation upon the earth.
You cleaved the oceans by your great power;
you broke the heads of the sea-monsters.
You crushed Leviathan
and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert.
You opened up springs and streams;
you dried up the thundering rivers.
The day belongs to you, and yours also is the night;
you established the sun and moon.
You set all the boundaries of the earth;
you made both summer and winter.
Remember how the enemy has mocked you, O LORD,
how foolish people have reviled your name.
Do not hand over your flock to wild beasts;
do not forget your faithful servants.
Have regard for your great plans for our future,
and save us from foes within and foes without.
Let us not retreat in disgrace;
but save the poorest and neediest among us,
and bring about praise for your name.
Rise up, O God, and defend your cause,
we who bear your name.
Silence the clamor of your adversaries,
hush the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.
Amen.
(photo via everystockphoto.com)
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