³ And they said, O Lord, the God of Israel, why has this fate come on Israel, that today one tribe has been cut off from Israel?

²⁴ Truly all the nations will say, Why has the Lord done so to this land? what is the reason for this great and burning wrath?

⁷ And Joshua said, O Lord God, why have you taken us over Jordan only to give us up into the hands of the Amorites for our destruction? If only it had been enough for us to keep on the other side of Jordan!

⁸ O Lord, what am I to say now that Israel have given way before their attackers?

⁹ For when the news comes to the Canaanites and all the people of the land, they will come up, shutting us in and cutting off our name from the earth: and what will you do for the honour of your great name?

¹ <Maschil. Of Asaph.> Of God, why have you put us away from you for ever? why is the fire of your wrath smoking against the sheep who are your care?

¹² Why are its walls broken down by your hands, so that all who go by may take its fruit?

³ By his foolish behaviour a man's ways are turned upside down, and his heart is bitter against the Lord.

¹⁷ O Lord, why do you send us wandering from your ways, making our hearts hard, so that we have no fear of you? Come back, because of your servants, the tribes of your heritage.

¹ You are in the right, O Lord, when I put my cause before you: still let me take up with you the question of your decisions: why does the evil-doer do well? why are the workers of deceit living in comfort?