Psalms 79
1 [A Psalm by Asaph.] God, the nations have come into your inheritance. They have defiled your holy temple. They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.
“A psalm of Asaph.” O God! the nations have come into thine inheritance; They have polluted thy holy temple; They have made Jerusalem a heap of ruins!
2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your faithful to the animals of the earth.
They have given the dead bodies of thy servants to be food for the birds of heaven, The flesh of thy holy ones to the wild beasts of the earth!
3 Their blood they have shed like water around Jerusalem. There was no one to bury them.
Their blood have they shed like water around Jerusalem, And there was none to bury them!
4 We have become objects of contempt to our neighbors, mocked and ridiculed by those who are around us.
We have become the reproach of our neighbors, —The scorn and derision of those around us.
5 How long, LORD? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?
How long, O LORD! wilt thou be angry for ever? How long shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you; on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;
Pour out thy wrath on the nations which acknowledge thee not. And on the kingdoms which call not upon thy name!
7 For they have devoured Jacob, and destroyed his homeland.
For they have devoured Jacob, And laid waste his dwelling-place.
8 Do not hold the iniquities of our forefathers against us. Let your tender mercies speedily meet us, for we are in desperate need.
O remember not against us former iniquities; Let thy tender mercy speedily succor us,
9 Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of your name. Deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name's sake.
For we are brought very low! Help us, O God of our salvation! for the honor of thy name; F or thy name's sake save us, and forgive our iniquities!
10 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Let it be known among the nations, before our eyes, that vengeance for your servants' blood is being poured out.
Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” May the revenging of the blood of thy servants, which hath been shed, Be manifested among the nations before our eyes!
11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you. According to the greatness of your power, free those who are sentenced to death.
Let the cry of the prisoner come before thee! According to the greatness of thy power preserve those that are appointed to die!
12 Pay back to our neighbors seven times into their lap the insults with which they have insulted you, LORD.
And return sevenfold into our neighbors' bosoms The reproach with which they have reproached thee, O Lord!
13 So we, your people and sheep of your pasture, will give you thanks forever. We will praise you forever, to all generations.
So shall we, thy people, and the flock of thy pasture, Give thanks to thee for ever. And show forth thy praise to all generations.
