Psalms 79

1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into Thine inheritance; they have defiled Thy holy temple; they have made Jerusalem into heaps.

A psalm for Asaph. O God, the heathens are come into thy inheritance, they have defiled thy holy temple: they have made Jerusalem as a place to keep fruit.

2 They have given the dead bodies of Thy servants to be food unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of Thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.

They have given the dead bodies of thy servants to be meat for the fowls of the air: the flesh of thy saints for the beasts of the earth.

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

They have poured out their blood as water, round about Jerusalem and there was none to bury them.

4 We are become a taunt to our neighbours, a scorn and 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 LORD, wilt Thou be angry for ever? How long will Thy jealousy burn like fire?

How long, O Lord, wilt thou be angry for ever: shall thy zeal be kindled like a fire?

6 Pour out Thy wrath upon the nations that know Thee not, and upon the kingdoms that call not upon Thy name.

Pour out thy wrath upon the nations that have not known thee: and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

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

Because they have devoured Jacob; and have laid waste his place.

8 Remember not against us the iniquities of our forefathers; let Thy compassions speedily come to meet us; for we are brought very low.

Remember not our former iniquities: let thy mercies speedily prevent us, for we are become exceeding poor.

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

Help us, O God, our saviour: and for the glory of thy name, O Lord, deliver us: and forgive us our sins for thy name’s sake:

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

Lest they should say among the Gentiles: Where is their God? And let him be made known among the nations before our eyes, By the revenging the blood of thy servants, which hath been shed:

11 Let the groaning of the prisoner come before Thee; according to the greatness of Thy power set free those that are appointed to death;

Let the sighing of the prisoners come in before thee. According to the greatness of thy arm, take possession of the children of them that have been put to death.

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

And render to our neighbours sevenfold in their bosom: the reproach wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

13 So we that are Thy people and the flock of Thy pasture will give Thee thanks for ever; we will tell of Thy praise to all generations.

But we thy people, and the sheep of thy pasture, will give thanks to thee for ever. We will shew forth thy praise, unto generation and generation.