Psalm 79:1–9

1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;p

they have defiledq your holy temple,

they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.r

2 They have left the dead bodies of your servants

as food for the birds of the sky,s

the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.t

3 They have poured out blood like water

all around Jerusalem,

and there is no one to buryu the dead.v

4 We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,

of scornw and derision to those around us.x

5 How long,y Lord? Will you be angryz forever?

How long will your jealousy burn like fire?a

6 Pour out your wrathb on the nations

that do not acknowledgec you,

on the kingdoms

that do not call on your name;d

7 for they have devourede Jacob

and devastated his homeland.

8 Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;f

may your mercy come quickly to meet us,

for we are in desperate need.g

9 Help us,h God our Savior,

for the glory of your name;

deliver us and forgive our sins

for your name’s sake.i