Psalm 79

By Asaph

O God, foreign nations have invaded
The country that is your inheritance;
They have desecrated your holy temple;
They have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
They have left the corpses of your servants
As carrion for scavengers from the sky,
The flesh of your people, food for wild beasts.
Around Jerusalem blood flowed like water
And there was none left to bury the dead.
We are an object of scorn to our neighbors,
A mockery to those who live around us.

How long, O Jehovah, will you remain angry?
Forever?  Will your jealousy burn like a fire?
Vent your ire on nations that do not recognize you,
On the kingdoms that do not call upon your name,
For it they who have consumed Jacob’s people
And have made his homeland a scene of desolation.
Do not hold against us the sins of our forefathers.
Let your mercy quickly aid us, for we are laid low.
Help us, God, our savior, for the glory of your name;
Deliver us and forgive our sins in your name’s sake.

Why should foreign nations scoff, “Where is their god?”
Let the nations know and before our eyes
Avenge yourself on those who shed your servants’ blood.
May the groans of prisoners reach your ears.
With your great power save those condemned to die.

Pay back our neighbors sevenfold
For their taunts of you, Jehovah.
Then we, the sheep of your pasture,
Your people, will thank you forever
And praise you through the generations.