52. But he led his own people out like sheepand guided them like a flock through the wilderness.
53. He led them safely.They had no fear while the sea covered their enemies.
54. He brought them into his holy land,to this mountain that his power had won.
55. He forced nations out of their wayand gave them the land of the nations as their inheritance.He settled the tribes of Israel in their own tents.
56. They tested God Most High and rebelled against him.They did not obey his written instructions.
57. They were disloyal and treacherous like their ancestors.They were like arrows shot from a defective bow.
58. They made him angry because of their illegal worship sites.They made him furious because they worshiped idols.
59. When God heard, he became furious.He completely rejected Israel.
60. He abandoned his dwelling place in Shiloh,the tent where he had lived among humans.
61. He allowed his power to be taken captiveand handed his glory over to an oppressor.
62. He let swords kill his people.He was furious with those who belonged to him.
63. Fire consumed his best young men,so his virgins heard no wedding songs.
64. His priests were cut down with swords.The widows ⌊of his priests⌋ could not even weep ⌊for them⌋.
65. Then the Lord woke up like one who had been sleeping,like a warrior sobering up from ⌊too much⌋ wine.
66. He struck his enemies from behindand disgraced them forever.
67. He rejected the tent of Joseph.He did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,
68. but he chose the tribe of Judah,Mount Zion which he loved.
69. He built his holy place to be like the high heavens,like the earth which he made to last for a long time.
70. He chose his servant David.He took him from the sheep pens.
71. He brought him from tending the ewes that had lambsso that David could be the shepherd of the people of Jacob,of Israel, the people who belonged to the Lord.