When God is

offended & far away

God, you have turned away from us. You have attacked us.
You have been angry. Now turn back to us!

2 You have shaken the land and torn it open.
Fix its cracks, because it is falling apart.

3 You have shown your people hard times.
You have made us drink the wine of your anger.
Now we can’t even walk straight.

4 But you lead into battle those who have respect for you.
You give them a flag to wave against the enemy’s weapons.
Selah

5 Save us. Help us with your powerful right hand,
so that those you love may be saved.

6 God has spoken from his temple.
He has said, “I will win the battle.
Then I will divide up the land around Shechem.
I will divide up the Valley of Succoth.

7 Gilead belongs to me.
So does the land of Manasseh.
Ephraim is the strongest tribe.
It is like a helmet for my head.
Judah is the royal tribe.
It is like a ruler’s staff.

8 Moab serves me like one who washes my feet.
I toss my sandal on Edom to show that I own it.
I shout to Philistia that I have won the battle.”

9 Who will bring me to the city that has high walls around it?
Who will lead me to the land of Edom?

10 God, isn’t it you, even though you have now turned away from us?
Isn’t it you, even though you don’t lead our armies into battle anymore?

11 Help us against our enemies.
The help people give doesn’t amount to anything.

12 With your help we will win the battle.
You will walk all over our enemies.