Psalm 79
A psalm of Asaph.
1God, an army from the nations has attacked your land.
They have polluted your holy temple.
They have completely destroyed Jerusalem.
2They have left the dead bodies of your people.
They have left them as food for the birds in the sky.
They have left the bodies of your faithful people.
They have left them for the wild animals.
3They have poured out the blood of your people like water.
It is all around Jerusalem.
No one is left to bury the dead.
4We are something our neighbors joke about.
The nations around us laugh at us and make fun of us.
5Lord, how long will you be angry with us? Will it be forever?
How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
6Bring your great anger against the nations
that don’t pay any attention to you.
Bring it against the kingdoms
that don’t worship you.
7They have swallowed up the people of Jacob.
They have destroyed Israel’s homeland.
8Don’t hold against us the sins of our people who lived before us.
May you be quick to show us your tender love.
We are in great need.
9God our Savior, help us.
Then glory will come to you.
Save us and forgive our sins.
Then people will honor your name.
10Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Show the nations that you punish those who kill your people.
We want to see it happen.
11Listen to the groans of the prisoners.
Use your strong arm
to save people sentenced to death.
12Lord, our neighbors have laughed at you.
Pay them back seven times for what they have done.
13We are your people, your very own sheep.
We will praise you forever.
For all time to come
we will keep on praising you.
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 neighbours,
of scorn and derision to those around us.
5How long, Lord? Will you be angry for ever?
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 Saviour,
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 neighbours seven times
the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.
13Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you for ever;
from generation to generation
we will proclaim your praise.
