Psalms 79

1 A Psalm for Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into your inheritance; they have polluted your holy temple; they have made Jerusalem a storehouse of fruits.

A psalm of Asaph. God, foreign nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have turned Jerusalem into a heap of ruins.

2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants [to be] food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your holy ones for the wild beasts of the earth.

They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the skies, the bodies of your faithful people to the beasts of the earth.

3 They have shed their blood as water, round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury [them].

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

4 We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them [that are] round about us.

We have become a reproach for our neighbors, mocking and derision to those who are around us.

5 How long, O Lord? will you be angry for ever? shall your jealousy burn like fire?

How long, Yahweh? Will you stay angry forever? How long will your jealous anger burn like fire?

6 Pour out your wrath upon the heathen that have not known you, and upon the kingdoms which have not called upon your name.

Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name.

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

For they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his villages.

8 Remember not our old transgressions; let your tender mercies speedily prevent us; for we are greatly impoverished.

Do not hold the sins of our forefathers against us; may your merciful actions come to us, for we are very low.

9 Help us, O God our Saviour; for the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us; and be merciful to our sins, for your name's sake.

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

10 Lets haply they should say amongst the heathen, Where is their God? and let the avenging of your servant's blood that has been shed be known amongst the heathen before our eyes.

Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” May the blood of your servants that was shed be avenged on the nations before our eyes.

11 Let the groaning of the prisoners come in before you; according to the greatness of your arm preserve the sons of the slain ones.

May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with the greatness of your power keep the children of death alive.

12 Repay to our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, with which they have reproached you, O Lord.

Pay back into the laps of our neighboring countries seven times as much as the insults with which they have insulted you, Lord.

13 For we are your people and the sheep of your pasture; we will give you thanks for ever; we will declare your praise throughout all generations.

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