17. All this came upon us,though we had not forgotten you;we had not been false to your covenant.
18. Our hearts had not turned back;our feet had not strayed from your path.
19. But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals;you covered us over with deep darkness.
20. If we had forgotten the name of our Godor spread out our hands to a foreign god,
21. would not God have discovered it,since he knows the secrets of the heart?
22. Yet for your sake we face death all day long;we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
23. Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep?Rouse yourself ! Do not reject us for ever.
24. Why do you hide your faceand forget our misery and oppression?
25. We are brought down to the dust;our bodies cling to the ground.
26. Rise up and help us;rescue us because of your unfailing love.