Psalm 79

A psalm of Asaph.

¹O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;

they have defiled your holy temple,

they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.

²They have left the dead bodies of your servants

as food for the birds of the sky,

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

³They have poured out blood like water

all around Jerusalem,

and there is no one to bury the dead.

⁴We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,

of scorn and derision to those around us.

⁵How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever?

How long will your jealousy burn like fire?

⁶Pour out your wrath on the nations

that do not acknowledge you,

on the kingdoms

that do not call on your name;

⁷for they have devoured Jacob

and devastated his homeland.

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

may your mercy come quickly to meet us,

for we are in desperate need.

⁹Help us, God our Savior,

for the glory of your name;

deliver us and forgive our sins

for your name’s sake.

¹⁰Why should the nations say,

“Where is their God?”

Before our eyes, make known among the nations

that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.

¹¹May the groans of the prisoners come before you;

with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.

¹²Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times

the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.

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

will praise you forever;

from generation to generation

we will proclaim your praise.