Psalms 78:56-71

56But the Israelites continued to test the Most High God, and they turned against him. They did not obey his commands.

57They turned away from him and they deceived him, as their ancestors had done. They were useless, like a bow that would not shoot straight!

58The places where they worshipped their idols made God very angry.

59God heard what they were doing, and he became very angry. He turned against the Israelite people.

60He went away from his home at Shiloh. That was the tent where he lived among people.

61He let Israel's enemies take away the Covenant Box, that showed his power and his glory.

62He was so angry with his own people, he let their enemies kill them in battle.

63Fire killed their young men in war. There was nobody for the young women to marry.

64Their priests died in battle. Their widows had no chance to weep.

65Then the Lord woke up, like someone had woken him from sleep. He shouted loudly, like a soldier who has drunk a lot of wine.

66He chased his enemies away. He caused them to be ashamed for ever.

67He chose not to live among Joseph's descendants. He did not choose the tribe of Ephraim.

68Instead, he chose the tribe of Judah. He chose Mount Zion, the place which he loves.

69There he built a temple for himself, to be like his home in heaven. He made it to be strong, like the earth itself, so that it would always be there.

70Also, he chose his servant, David. He took David away from the fields,

71so that he no longer took care of his father's sheep. He became like a shepherd, to lead his people, Jacob's descendants. He ruled the people that belonged to God, the Israelite people.