Grieving over the Destruction of Jerusalem, and Prayer for Help.

A Psalm of Asaph.

1God, the nations have [a]invaded Your inheritance;

They have defiled Your holy temple;

They have laid Jerusalem in ruins.

2They have given the dead bodies of Your servants to the birds of the sky as food,

The flesh of Your godly ones to the animals of the earth.

3They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem;

And there was no one to bury them.

4We have become a disgrace before our neighbors,

An object of derision and ridicule to those around us.

5How long, LORD? Will You be angry forever?

Will Your jealousy burn like fire?

6Pour out Your wrath upon the nations which do not know You,

And upon the kingdoms which do not call upon Your name.

7For they have devoured Jacob

And laid waste his [b]settlement.

8Do not [c]hold us responsible for [d]the guilty deeds of our forefathers;

Let Your compassion come quickly to meet us,

For we have become very low.

9Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name;

And save us and [e]forgive our sins for the sake of Your name.

10Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”

Let vengeance for the blood of Your servants which has been shed

Be known among the nations in our sight.

11Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You;

According to the greatness of Your [f]power, let [g]those who are doomed to die remain.

12And return to our neighbors seven times as much into their lap

Their taunts with which they have taunted You, Lord.

13So we Your people and the sheep of Your [h]pasture

Will give thanks to You forever;

To all generations we will tell of Your praise.