Psalm 79

1 O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance;

A Dirge and a Prayer for Israel, Destroyed by EnemiesA Psalm of Asaph. Your holy temple they have defiled; They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.

2 The dead bodies of Your servants They have given as food for the birds of the heavens, The flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.3 Their blood they have shed like water all around Jerusalem, And there was no one to bury them. 4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors, A scorn and derision to those who are around us.5 How long, Lord? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?6 Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You, And on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name.7 For they have devoured Jacob, And laid waste his dwelling place.8 Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, For we have been brought very low.9 Help us, O God of our salvation, For the glory of Your name; And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, For Your names sake!10 Why should the nations say, Where is their God? Let there be known among the nations in our sight The avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed.11 Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You; According to the greatness of Your power Preserve those who are appointed to die;12 And return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom Their reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord.13 So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, Will give You thanks forever; We will show forth Your praise to all generations.

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.