Psalms 79

A Dirge and a Prayer for Israel, Destroyed by Enemies

A Psalm of Asaph.¹O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance; Your holy temple they have defiled; They have laid Jerusalem in heaps. ²The dead bodies of Your servants They have given as food for the birds of the heavens, The flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. ³Their blood they have shed like water all around Jerusalem, And there was no one to bury them. ⁴We have become a reproach to our neighbors, A scorn and derision to those who are around us. ⁵How long, Lord? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire? ⁶Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You, And on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name. ⁷For they have devoured Jacob, And laid waste his dwelling place. ⁸Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, For we have been brought very low. ⁹Help us, O God of our salvation, For the glory of Your name; And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, For Your name’s sake! ¹⁰Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let there be known among the nations in our sight The avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed. ¹¹Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You; According to the greatness of Your power Preserve those who are appointed to die; ¹²And return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom Their reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord. ¹³So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, Will give You thanks forever; We will show forth Your praise to all generations.