55 And he drove out the nations before them, and divided their land for their inheritance, and he dwelt the tribes of Israel in their tents.

56 But they still tempted and grieved the Most High God, and did not keep his statutes;

57 they turned away and changed like their fathers, turned back like a wrong bow;

58 they grieved him with their high places, and with their idols they stirred up his jealousy.

59 And God heard, and was inflamed with wrath, and was greatly angry with Israel;

60 He rejected the dwelling place in Shiloh, the tabernacle in which He dwelt among men;

61 And he gave his fortress and his glory into the hands of the enemy,

62 And he put his people to the sword, and was angry with his inheritance.

63 His young men were devoured by fire, and their maidens were not sung wedding songs;

64 His priests fell by the sword, and his widows did not weep.

65 But as from sleep, the Lord arose, like a giant overcome by wine,

66 And he smote his enemies in the rear, and delivered them up to everlasting shame;

67 And he rejected the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,

68 but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loved.

69 And he built his sanctuary as the heavens, and established it as the earth for ever,

70 And he chose David his servant, and took him out of the sheepfolds

71 And from the milkers he brought him to feed his people Jacob, and his inheritance Israel.

72 And he shepherded them in the purity of his heart, and led them with wise hands.

Psalm 78

Psalm of Asaph.

1 God! the Gentiles have come into Thy inheritance, they have defiled Thy holy temple, they have turned Jerusalem into ruins;