Psalm 79

The Nation Cries for Jerusalem

A psalm of Asaph.

79God, nations have come against your chosen people.

They have ruined your holy Temple.

They have turned Jerusalem into ruins.

²They 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.

³They have spilled blood like water all around Jerusalem.

No one was left to bury the dead.

⁴We are a joke to the other nations;

they laugh and make fun of us.

⁵Lord, how long will this last?

Will you be angry forever?

How long will your jealousy burn like a fire?

⁶Be angry with the nations that do not know you

and with the kingdoms that do not honor you.

⁷They have gobbled up the people of Jacob

and destroyed their land.

⁸Don’t punish us for our past sins.

Show your mercy to us soon,

because we are helpless!

⁹God our Savior, help us

so people will praise you.

Save us and forgive our sins

so people will honor you.

¹⁰Why should the nations say,

“Where is their God?”

Tell the other nations in our presence

that you punish those who kill your servants.

¹¹Hear the moans of the prisoners.

Use your great power

to save those sentenced to die.

¹²Repay those around us seven times over

for their insults to you, Lord.

¹³We are your people, the sheep of your flock.

We will thank you always;

forever and ever we will praise you.