Psalms 79
Psalm 791
A psalm of Asaph.
79:1 O God, foreigners2 have invaded your chosen land;3
they have polluted your holy temple
and turned Jerusalem4 into a heap of ruins.
79:2 They have given the corpses of your servants
to the birds of the sky;5
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.6
79:4 We have become an object of disdain to our neighbors;
those who live on our borders taunt and insult us.7
79:5 How long will this go on, O Lord?8
Will you stay angry forever?
How long will your rage9 burn like fire?
79:6 Pour out your anger on the nations that do not acknowledge you,10
on the kingdoms that do not pray to you!11
79:7 For they have devoured Jacob
and destroyed his home.
79:8 Do not hold us accountable for the sins of earlier generations!12
Quickly send your compassion our way,13
for we are in serious trouble!14
79:9 Help us, O God, our deliverer!
For the sake of your glorious reputation,15 rescue us!
Forgive our sins for the sake of your reputation!16
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!17
79:11 Listen to the painful cries of the prisoners!18
Use your great strength to set free those condemned to die!19
79:12 Pay back our neighbors in full!20
May they be insulted the same way they insulted you, O Lord!21
79:13 Then we, your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will continually thank you.22
We will tell coming generations of your praiseworthy acts.23