A prayer for God’s help

9 Yahweh, wake up and do something for us!

Show your power!

Do mighty things

like you did long ago,

when you stabbed [RHQ] that sea monster/dragon Rahab and cut it into pieces.

10 Surely you are [RHQ] the one who caused the Red Sea to become dry

and made a path through that deep water

in order that your people could cross it!

11 And those whom Yahweh will rescue from being exiled in Babylonia

will similarly return to Jerusalem, singing.

Their being joyful forever will be like [MET] a crown on their heads.

They will not be sad or mourn any more;

they will be completely joyful and happy.

12 Yahweh says,

“I am the one who encourages you.

So ◄why are you/you should not be► [RHQ] afraid of humans

who will wither and disappear like [MET] grass.

13 ◄Why have you/You should not have► [RHQ] forgotten me, Yahweh, the one who created your nation,

the one who stretched out the sky

and laid the foundations of the earth.

◄Why are you/You should not be► [RHQ] continually afraid of those who are angry with you and ◄oppress you/treat you cruelly►

and want to get rid of you.

You should not be afraid of them now,

because those angry people have now disappeared!

14 Soon you people who have been caused to be slaves in Babylonia will be freed!

You will not remain in prison, and you will not die of hunger,

15 because I am Yahweh, your God,

the one who stirs up the sea and causes the waves to roar;

I am the Commander of the armies of angels!

16 I have given you my message [MTY] to proclaim,

and I have protected you with my hand [MTY].

I stretched out the sky

and laid the foundation of the earth.

And I am the one who says to you Israeli people,

‘You are my people!’ ”