Psalm 79

A psalm of Asaph.

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

10 Why should the nations say,

“Where is their God?”j

Before our eyes, make known among the nations

that you avengek the outpoured bloodl of your servants.

11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you;

with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.

12 Pay back into the lapsm of our neighbors seven timesn

the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.

13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,o

will praise you forever;p

from generation to generation

we will proclaim your praise.