Psalms 79:1-9 ▼

1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the nations have invaded [the land of Your people] Your inheritance; They have defiled Your sacred temple; They have laid Jerusalem in ruins.

2 They have given the dead bodies of Your servants as food to the birds of the heavens, The flesh of Your godly ones to the beasts of the earth.

3 They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, And there was no one to bury them.

4 We have become an object of taunting to our neighbors [because of our humiliation], A derision and mockery to those who encircle us.

5 How long, O LORD? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy [which cannot endure a divided allegiance] burn like fire?

6 Pour out Your wrath on the [Gentile] nations that do not know You, And on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name.

7 For they have devoured Jacob And made his pasture desolate.

8 O do not remember against us the sins and guilt of our forefathers. Let Your compassion and mercy come quickly to meet us, For we have been brought very low.

9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; Rescue us, forgive us our sins for Your name’s sake.