Psalm 79
A Psalm by Asaph.
1 God,
the nations
have come into
your inheritance.
They have defiled
your holy temple.
They have laid
Jerusalem in heaps.
2 They
have given the
dead bodies of
your servants to
be food for
the birds of
the sky,
the flesh of
your saints to
the animals of
the earth.
3 They
have shed their
blood like water
around Jerusalem.
There was no one
to bury them.
4 We have
become a reproach
to our neighbors,
a scoffing 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 don’t know
you,
on the kingdoms
that don’t call on
your name,
7 for
they have devoured
Jacob,
and destroyed
his homeland.
8 Don’t hold
the iniquities of
our forefathers
against us.
Let your tender
mercies speedily
meet us,
for we are
in desperate need.
9 Help
us, God of our
salvation, for the
glory of your
name.
Deliver us, and
forgive our sins,
for your name’s
sake.
10 Why
should the
nations say, “Where
is their God?”
Let it be
known among the
nations, before
our eyes,
that vengeance
for your servants’
blood is being
poured out.
11 Let
the sighing of
the prisoner come before
you.
According to the
greatness of your
power, preserve
those who
are sentenced to
death.
12 Pay
back to our
neighbors seven
times into their
bosom
their reproach
with which they have
reproached you, Lord.
13 So
we, your people
and sheep of
your pasture,
will give you
thanks forever.
We will praise
you forever, to
all generations.