Psalm 79

A psalm of Asaph.

¹O God, pagan nations have conquered your land,

your special possession.

They have defiled your holy Temple

and made Jerusalem a heap of ruins.

²They have left the bodies of your servants

as food for the birds of heaven.

The flesh of your godly ones

has become food for the wild animals.

³Blood has flowed like water all around Jerusalem;

no one is left to bury the dead.

⁴We are mocked by our neighbors,

an object of scorn and derision to those around us.

⁵O Lord, how long will you be angry with us? Forever?

How long will your jealousy burn like fire?

⁶Pour out your wrath on the nations that refuse to acknowledge you—

on kingdoms that do not call upon your name.

⁷For they have devoured your people Israel,^a

making the land a desolate wilderness.

⁸Do not hold us guilty for the sins of our ancestors!

Let your compassion quickly meet our needs,

for we are on the brink of despair.

⁹Help us, O God of our salvation!

Help us for the glory of your name.

Save us and forgive our sins

for the honor of your name.

¹⁰Why should pagan nations be allowed to scoff,

asking, “Where is their God?”

Show us your vengeance against the nations,

for they have spilled the blood of your servants.

¹¹Listen to the moaning of the prisoners.

Demonstrate your great power by saving those condemned to die.

¹²O Lord, pay back our neighbors seven times

for the scorn they have hurled at you.

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

will thank you forever and ever,

praising your greatness from generation to generation.