Psalm 79

A psalm of Asaph.

¹ Heathen, O God, have come into your land, defiling your holy temple, and laying Jerusalem in ruins.

² They have given the bodies of your dead servants to the birds of the air to devour, and the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the field.

³ Round about Jerusalem they have poured out their blood like water; and there was no one to bury them.

⁴ On every side our neighbours revile us and mock us and jeer at us.

⁵ How long will you be angry, O Lord? Will your jealousy burn like fire forever?

⁶ Pour out your wrath on the nations that don’t know you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name.

⁷ For Jacob they devoured, they have desolated his home.

⁸ Do not remember against us our ancestor's sins; O meet us soon with your pity, for utterly weak are we.

⁹ Help us, O God our saviour, for the renown of your name: for your reputation deliver us and cover over our sins.

¹⁰ Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let revenge for the outpoured blood of your servants be shown on the heathen before our eyes.

¹¹ May the groans of the prisoner come before you; free the children of death by your mighty arm.

¹² Pay our neighbours back sevenfold for the scorn they have heaped upon you, O Lord.

¹³ Then we, your people, the flock of your pasture, will give thanks to you for evermore, and tell your praise to all generations.