Psalms 79

1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the Gentiles have entered into your inheritance; they have polluted your holy temple. They have set Jerusalem as a place to tend fruit trees.

A psalm of Asaph. Heathen, O God, have come into your land, defiling your holy temple, and laying Jerusalem in ruins.

2 They have placed the dead bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your saints for the beasts of the earth.

They have given the bodies of your dead servants to the birds of the air to devour, and the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the field.

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

Round about Jerusalem they have poured out their blood like water; and there was no one to bury them.

4 We have become a disgrace to our neighbors, an object of ridicule and mockery to those who are around us.

On every side our neighbors revile us and mock us and jeer at us.

5 How long, O Lord? Will you be angry until the end? Will your zeal be kindled like a fire?

How long will you be angry, O Lord? Will your jealousy burn like fire forever?

6 Pour out your wrath among the Gentiles, who have not known you, and upon the kingdoms that have not invoked your name.

Pour out your wrath on the nations that don’t know you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name.

7 For they have devoured Jacob, and they have desolated his place.

For Jacob they devoured, they have desolated his home.

8 Do not remember our iniquities of the past. May your mercies quickly intercept us, for we have become exceedingly poor.

Do not remember against us our ancestors’ sins; O meet us soon with your pity, for utterly weak are we.

9 Help us, O God, our Savior. And free us, Lord, for the glory of your name. And forgive us our sins for the sake of your name.

Help us, O God our savior, for the renown of your name: for your reputation deliver us and cover over our sins.

10 Let them not say among the Gentiles, “Where is their God?” And may your name become known among the nations before our eyes. For the retribution of your servants’ blood, which has been poured out:

Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let revenge for the outpoured blood of your servants be shown on the heathen before our eyes.

11 may the groans of the shackled enter before you. According to the greatness of your arm, take possession of the sons of those who have been killed.

May the groans of the prisoner come before you; free the children of death by your mighty arm.

12 And repay our neighbors sevenfold within their sinews. It is the reproach of the same ones who brought reproach against you, O Lord.

Pay our neighbors back sevenfold for the scorn they have heaped upon you, O Lord.

13 But we are your people and the sheep of your pasture: we will give thanks to you in all ages. From generation to generation, we will announce your praise.

Then we, your people, the flock of your pasture, will give thanks to you for evermore, and tell your praise to all generations.