Psalm 89:30–52

If his children refuse to do what I tell them,

if they refuse to walk in the way I show them,

If they spit on the directions I give them

and tear up the rules I post for them—

I’ll rub their faces in the dirt of their rebellion

and make them face the music.

But I’ll never throw them out,

never abandon or disown them.

Do you think I’d withdraw my holy promise?

or take back words I’d already spoken?

I’ve given my word, my whole and holy word;

do you think I would lie to David?

His family tree is here for good,

his sovereignty as sure as the sun,

Dependable as the phases of the moon,

inescapable as weather.”

^38–51But God, you did walk off and leave us,

you lost your temper with the one you anointed.

You tore up the promise you made to your servant,

you stomped his crown in the mud.

You blasted his home to kingdom come,

reduced his city to a pile of rubble

Picked clean by wayfaring strangers,

a joke to all the neighbors.

You declared a holiday for all his enemies,

and they’re celebrating for all they’re worth.

Angry, you opposed him in battle,

refused to fight on his side;

You robbed him of his splendor, humiliated this warrior,

ground his kingly honor in the dirt.

You took the best years of his life

and left him an impotent, ruined husk.

How long do we put up with this, God?

Are you gone for good? Will you hold this grudge forever?

Remember my sorrow and how short life is.

Did you create men and women for nothing but this?

We’ll see death soon enough. Everyone does.

And there’s no back door out of hell.

So where is the love you’re so famous for, Lord?

What happened to your promise to David?

Take a good look at your servant, dear Lord;

I’m the butt of the jokes of all nations,

The taunting jokes of your enemies, God,

as they dog the steps of your dear anointed.

Blessed be God forever and always!

Yes. Oh, yes.