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 by Asaph. God, the nations have come into your inheritance. They have defiled your holy temple. They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.

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 to be food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your saints to the animals 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. 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, O 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 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 don’t know you, on the kingdoms that don’t call on your name,

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

for they have devoured Jacob, and destroyed his homeland.

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

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 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 glory of your name. Deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name’s sake.

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

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

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

12 Repay 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 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 praise you forever, to all generations.