Psalms 79

1 O God, the nations have come into thine inheritance. They have defiled thy holy temple. They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.

[A Psalm by Asaph.] God, the nations have come into your inheritance. They have defiled your holy temple. They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.

2 They have given the dead bodies of thy servants to be food to the birds of the heavens, the flesh of thy sanctified to the beasts of the earth.

They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your faithful to the animals of the earth.

3 They have shed their blood like water round about Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them.

Their blood they have shed like water around Jerusalem. There was no one to bury them.

4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scoffing and derision to those who are round about us.

We have become objects of contempt to our neighbors, mocked and ridiculed by those who are around us.

5 How long, O Jehovah? Will thou be angry forever? Shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

How long, Jehovah? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?

6 Pour out thy wrath upon the nations that do not know thee, and upon the kingdoms that do not call upon thy name.

Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you; on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;

7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his habitation.

For they have devoured Jacob, and destroyed his homeland.

8 Do not remember against us the iniquities of our forefathers. Let thy tender mercies speedily meet us, for we are brought very low.

Do not hold the iniquities of our forefathers against us. Let your tender mercies speedily meet us, for we are in desperate need.

9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name. And deliver us, and forgive our sins, for thy name's sake.

Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of your name. Deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name's sake.

10 Why should the nations say, Where is their God? Let the avenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed be known among the nations in our sight.

Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Let it be known among the nations, before our eyes, that vengeance for your servants' blood is being poured out.

11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee. According to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those who are appointed to death,

Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you. According to the greatness of your power, free those who are sentenced to death.

12 and render to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach with which they have reproached thee, O Lord,

Pay back to our neighbors seven times into their lap the insults with which they have insulted you, Jehovah.

13 so we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks forever. We will show forth thy praise to all generations.

So we, your people and sheep of your pasture, will give you thanks forever. We will praise you forever, to all generations.