Psalms 78:52-72
Psalms 78:52-72 NCV
But God led his people out like sheep and he guided them like a flock through the desert. He led them to safety so they had nothing to fear, but their enemies drowned in the sea. So God brought them to his holy land, to the mountain country he took with his own power. He forced out the other nations, and he had his people inherit the land. He let the tribes of Israel settle there in tents. But they tested God and turned against God Most High; they did not keep his rules. They turned away and were disloyal just like their ancestors. They were like a crooked bow that does not shoot straight. They made God angry by building places to worship gods; they made him jealous with their idols. When God heard them, he became very angry and rejected the people of Israel completely. He left his dwelling at Shiloh, the Tent where he lived among the people. He let the Ark, his power, be captured; he let the Ark, his glory, be taken by enemies. He let his people be killed; he was very angry with his children. The young men died by fire, and the young women had no one to marry. Their priests fell by the sword, but their widows were not allowed to cry. Then the Lord got up as if he had been asleep; he awoke like a man who had been drunk with wine. He struck down his enemies and disgraced them forever. But God rejected the family of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim. Instead, he chose the tribe of Judah and Mount Zion, which he loves. And he built his Temple high like the mountains. Like the earth, he built it to last forever. He chose David to be his servant and took him from the sheep pens. He brought him from tending the sheep so he could lead the flock, the people of Jacob, his own people, the people of Israel. And David led them with an innocent heart and guided them with skillful hands.