Psalm 79

The Nation Cries for Jerusalem

1 God, nations have come against your chosen people. They have ruined your holy Temple. They have turned Jerusalem into ruins.

2 They have given the bodies of your servants as food to the wild birds.
They have given the bodies of those who worship you to the wild animals.

3 They have spilled blood like water all around Jerusalem. No one was left to bury the dead.

4 We are a joke to the other nations; they laugh and make fun of us.

5 Lord, how long will this last? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like a fire?

6 Be angry with the nations that do not know you and with the kingdoms that do not honor you.

7 They have gobbled up the people of Jacob and destroyed their land.

8 Don’t punish us for our past sins. Show your mercy to us soon, because we are helpless!

9 God our Savior, help us so people will praise you.
Save us and forgive our sins so people will honor you.

10 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Tell the other nations in our presence that you punish those who kill your servants.

11 Hear the moans of the prisoners. Use your great power to save those sentenced to die.

12 Repay those around us seven times over for their insults to you, Lord.
13 We are your people, the sheep of your flock. We will thank you always; forever and ever we will praise you.

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.