Lament over Defeat in Battle, and Prayer for Help.
To the Chief Musician; set to [the tune of] "The Lily of the Testimony." A Mikhtam of David [intended to record memorable thoughts and] to teach; when he struggled with the Arameans of Mesopotamia and the Arameans of Zobah, and when Joab returned and struck twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
1 O God, You have rejected us and cast us off. You have broken [down our defenses and scattered] us;
You have been angry; O restore us and turn again to us.
2 You have made the land quake, You have split it open;
Heal its rifts, for it shakes and totters.
3 You have made Your people experience hardship;
You have given us wine to drink that makes us stagger and fall.
4 You have set up a banner for those who fear You [with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder—a banner to shield them from attack],
A banner that may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
5 That Your beloved ones may be rescued,
Save with Your right hand and answer us.
6 God has spoken in His holiness [in His promises]:
"I will rejoice, I will divide [the land of] Shechem and measure out the Valley of Succoth [west to east].
7 "Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine;
Ephraim is My helmet;
Judah is My scepter.
8 "Moab is My 60:8 I.e. the household pot used for washing the feet.washbowl;
Over Edom I shall throw My shoe [in triumph];
Over Philistia I raise the shout [of victory]."
9 Who will bring me into the besieged city [of Petra]?
Who will lead me to Edom?
10 Have You not rejected us, O God?
And will You not go out with our armies?
11 Give us help against the enemy,
For the help of man is worthless (ineffectual, without purpose).
12 Through God we will have victory,
For He will trample down our enemies.