Psalm 79

Psalm 79

A psalm by Asaph. 

¹O God, the nations have invaded the land that belongs to you. 

They have dishonored your holy temple. 

They have left Jerusalem in ruins. 

²They have given the dead bodies of your servants 

to the birds for food. 

They have given the flesh of your godly ones 

to the animals. 

³They have shed the blood of your people around Jerusalem 

as though it were water. 

There is no one to bury your people. 

⁴We have become a disgrace to our neighbors, 

an object of ridicule and contempt to those around us. 

⁵How long, O Lord? 

Will you remain angry forever? 

Will your fury continue to burn like fire? 

⁶Pour your fury on the nations that do not know you, 

on the kingdoms that have not called you. 

⁷They have devoured Jacob. 

They have destroyed his home. 

⁸Do not hold the crimes of our ancestors against us. 

Reach out to us soon with your compassion, 

because we are helpless. 

⁹Help us, O God, our savior, for the glory of your name. 

Rescue us, and forgive our sins for the honor of your name. 

¹⁰Why should the nations ⸤be allowed to⸥ say, 

“Where is their God?” 

Let us watch as the nations learn 

that there is punishment for shedding the blood of your servants. 

¹¹Let the groans of prisoners come into your presence. 

With your powerful arm rescue those who are condemned to death. 

¹²Pay each one of our neighbors back 

with seven times the number of insults they used to insult you, O Lord. 

¹³Then we, your people, the flock in your pasture, 

will give thanks to you forever. 

We will praise you throughout every generation.