Psalms 79

1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the nations are come into thine inheritance: thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem in heaps.

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.

2 The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowl of the heavens, the flesh of thy saints unto 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 holy ones for the wild beasts of the earth.

3 Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem, and there was none to bury [them].

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

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

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

5 How long, O Jehovah? wilt thou be angry for ever? Shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

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

6 Pour out thy fury upon the nations that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that call not upon thy name:

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

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

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

8 Remember not against us the iniquities of [our] forefathers; let thy tender mercies speedily come to meet us: for we are brought very low.

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

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

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.

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

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.

11 Let the groaning of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thine arm, preserve those that are appointed to die;

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

12 And render unto our neighbours, sevenfold into their bosom, their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

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

13 And we, thy people and the sheep of thy pasture, will give thanks unto thee for ever; we will shew forth thy praise from generation to generation.

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.