Psalms 79

1 O God, the heathen are come into your inheritance; your holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on 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 The dead bodies of your servants have they given to be meat to the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of your saints 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 holy ones to the animals 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 like water around Jerusalem. There was no one to bury them.

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

We have become a reproach to our neighbours, a scoffing and derision to those who are around us.

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

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

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

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

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

for they have devoured Jacob, and destroyed his homeland.

8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let your tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.

Don’t 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 your name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for your 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 heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of your servants which is shed.

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

11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you; according to the greatness of your power preserve you those that are appointed to die;

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

12 And render to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, with which they have reproached you, O Lord.

Pay back to our neighbours seven times into their bosom their reproach with which they have reproached you, Lord.

13 So we your people and sheep of your pasture will give you thanks for ever: we will show forth your 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.