For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A teaching poem by David, when he fought with Aram Naharaim and with Aram Zobah, and Joab returned, and killed twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.
1God, you have rejected us.
You have broken us down.
You have been angry.
Restore us, again.
2You have made the land tremble.
You have torn it.
Mend its fractures,
for it quakes.
3You have shown your people hard things.
You have made us drink the wine that makes us stagger.
4You have given a banner to those who fear you,
that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
5So that your beloved may be delivered,
save with your right hand, and answer us.
6God has spoken from his sanctuary:
“I will triumph.
I will divide Shechem,
and measure out the valley of Succoth.
7Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine.
Ephraim also is the defense of my head.
Judah is my scepter.
8Moab is my wash basin.
I will throw my sandal on Edom.
I shout in triumph over Philistia.”
9Who will bring me into the strong city?
Who has led me to Edom?
10Haven’t you, God, rejected us?
You don’t go out with our armies, God.
11Give us help against the adversary,
for the help of man is vain.
12Through God we will do valiantly,
for it is he who will tread down our adversaries.