Psalm 79:3–10

They have poured out blood like water

all around Jerusalem,

and there is no one to bury the dead.

We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,

of scorn and derision to those around us.

How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever?

How long will your jealousy burn like fire?

Pour out your wrath on the nations

that do not acknowledge you,

on the kingdoms

that do not call on your name;

for they have devoured Jacob

and devastated his homeland.

Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;

may your mercy come quickly to meet us,

for we are in desperate need.

Help us, God our Savior,

for the glory of your name;

deliver us and forgive our sins

for your name’s sake.

Why should the nations say,

“Where is their God?”

Before our eyes, make known among the nations

that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.

They poured out their blood

like water all around Jerusalem,

and there was no one to bury them.

We have become an object of reproach

to our neighbors,

a source of mockery and ridicule

to those around us.

How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever?

Will your jealousy keep burning like fire?

Pour out your wrath on the nations

that don’t acknowledge you,

on the kingdoms that don’t call on your name,

for they have devoured Jacob

and devastated his homeland.

Do not hold past iniquities against us;

let your compassion come to us quickly,

for we have become very weak.

God of our salvation, help us,

for the glory of your name.

Rescue us and atone for our sins,

for your name’s sake.

Why should the nations ask,

“Where is their God?”

Before our eyes,

let vengeance for the shed blood of your servants

be known among the nations.

Blood has flowed like water all around Jerusalem;

no one is left to bury the dead.

We are mocked by our neighbors,

an object of scorn and derision to those around us.

O Lord, how long will you be angry with us? Forever?

How long will your jealousy burn like fire?

Pour out your wrath on the nations that refuse to acknowledge you—

on kingdoms that do not call upon your name.

For they have devoured your people Israel,

making the land a desolate wilderness.

Do not hold us guilty for the sins of our ancestors!

Let your compassion quickly meet our needs,

for we are on the brink of despair.

Help us, O God of our salvation!

Help us for the glory of your name.

Save us and forgive our sins

for the honor of your name.

Why should pagan nations be allowed to scoff,

asking, “Where is their God?”

Show us your vengeance against the nations,

for they have spilled the blood of your servants.

They have poured out their blood like water

all around Jerusalem,

and there was none to bury them.

We have become a taunt to our neighbors,

a derision and a scorn to those around us.

How long, O Yahweh? Will you be angry forever?

Will your jealousy burn like fire?

Pour out your anger on the nations

that do not know you,

and on the kingdoms

that do not call on your name,

because they have devoured Jacob

and have laid waste his habitation.

Do not remember against us former iniquities;

let your mercies meet us quickly

because we are brought very low.

Help us, O God of our salvation,

for the glory of your name;

and deliver us and forgive our sins

for the sake of your name.

Why should the nations say,

“Where is their God?”

Let it be known among the nations before our eyes,

by the avenging of the blood of your servants

that was poured out.

Their blood have they shed like water

Round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.

We are become a reproach to our neighbours,

A scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

How long, Lord? wilt thou be angry for ever?

Shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee,

And upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

For they have devoured Jacob,

And laid waste his dwelling place.

O remember not against us former iniquities:

Let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us:

For we are brought very low.

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name:

And deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.

Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God?

Let him be known among the heathen in our sight

By the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.