Psalm 7997

A psalm of Asaph.

79:1 O God, foreigners1 have invaded your chosen land;2

they have polluted your holy temple

and turned Jerusalem3 into a heap of ruins.

79:2 They have given the corpses of your servants

to the birds of the sky;4

the flesh of your loyal followers

to the beasts of the earth.

79:3 They have made their blood flow like water

all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury them.5

79:4 We have become an object of disdain to our neighbors;

those who live on our borders taunt and insult us.6

79:5 How long will this go on, O Lord?7

Will you stay angry forever?

How long will your rage8 burn like fire?

79:6 Pour out your anger on the nations that do not acknowledge you,9

on the kingdoms that do not pray to you!10

79:7 For they have devoured Jacob

and destroyed his home.

79:8 Do not hold us accountable for the sins of earlier generations!11

Quickly send your compassion our way,12

for we are in serious trouble!13

79:9 Help us, O God, our deliverer!

For the sake of your glorious reputation,14 rescue us!

Forgive our sins for the sake of your reputation!15

79:10 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”

Before our very eyes may the shed blood of your servants

be avenged among the nations!16

79:11 Listen to the painful cries of the prisoners!17

Use your great strength to set free those condemned to die!18

79:12 Pay back our neighbors in full!19

May they be insulted the same way they insulted you, O Lord!20

79:13 Then we, your people, the sheep of your pasture,

will continually thank you.21

We will tell coming generations of your praiseworthy acts.22