Psalm 79

1 A psalm by Asaph. O God, the nations have invaded the land that belongs to you.They have dishonored your holy temple.They have left Jerusalem in ruins.2 They have given the dead bodies of your servantsto the birds for food.They have given the flesh of your godly onesto the animals.3 They have shed the blood of your people around Jerusalemas though it were water.There is no one to bury your people.4 We have become a disgrace to our neighbors,an object of ridicule and contempt to those around us.5 How long, O Lord?Will you remain angry forever?Will your fury continue to burn like fire?6 Pour your fury on the nations that do not know you,on the kingdoms that have not called you.7 They have devoured Jacob.They have destroyed his home.8 Do not hold the crimes of our ancestors against us.Reach out to us soon with your compassion,because we are helpless.9 Help us, O God, our savior, for the glory of your name.Rescue us, and forgive our sins for the honor of your name.10 Why should the nations be allowed to say,“Where is their God?”Let us watch as the nations learnthat there is punishment for shedding the blood of your servants.11 Let the groans of prisoners come into your presence.With your powerful arm rescue those who are condemned to death.12 Pay each one of our neighbors backwith seven times the number of insults they used to insult you, O Lord.13 Then we, your people, the flock in your pasture,will give thanks to you forever.We will praise you throughout every generation.

Psalm 79

A psalm of Asaph.

1 O God, foreigners have invaded your chosen land;
they have polluted your holy temple
and turned Jerusalem into a heap of ruins.

2 They have given the corpses of your servants
to the birds of the sky;
the flesh of your loyal followers
to the beasts of the earth.

3 They have made their blood flow like water
all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury them.

4 We have become an object of disdain to our neighbors;
those who live on our borders taunt and insult us.

5 How long will this go on, O Lord?
Will you stay angry forever?
How long will your rage burn like fire?

6 Pour out your anger on the nations that do not acknowledge you,
on the kingdoms that do not pray to you!

7 For they have devoured Jacob
and destroyed his home.

8 Do not hold us accountable for the sins of earlier generations!
Quickly send your compassion our way,
for we are in serious trouble!

9 Help us, O God, our deliverer!
For the sake of your glorious reputation, rescue us!
Forgive our sins for the sake of your reputation!

10 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Before our very eyes may the shed blood of your servants
be avenged among the nations!

11 Listen to the painful cries of the prisoners!
Use your great strength to set free those condemned to die!

12 Pay back our neighbors in full!
May they be insulted the same way they insulted you, O Lord!

13 Then we, your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will continually thank you.
We will tell coming generations of your praiseworthy acts.