Psalms 79

1 A psalm of Asaph. God, foreign nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have turned Jerusalem into a heap of ruins.

[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 as food to the birds of the skies, the bodies of your faithful people 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 faithful to the animals of the earth.

3 They have shed their blood like water around Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them.

Their blood they have shed like water around Jerusalem. There was no one to bury them.

4 We have become a reproach for our neighbors, mocking and derision to those who are around us.

We have become objects of contempt to our neighbors, mocked and ridiculed by those who are around us.

5 How long, Yahweh? Will you stay angry forever? How long will your jealous anger burn like fire?

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

6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name.

Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you; on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;

7 For they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his villages.

For they have devoured Jacob, and destroyed his homeland.

8 Do not hold the sins of our forefathers against us; may your merciful actions come to us, for we are very low.

Do not hold the iniquities of our forefathers against us. Let your tender mercies speedily meet us, for we are in desperate need.

9 Help us, God of our salvation, for the sake of the glory of your name; save us and forgive 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 nations say, “Where is their God?” May the blood of your servants that was shed be avenged on the nations before our eyes.

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.

11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with the greatness of your power keep the children of death alive.

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

12 Pay back into the laps of our neighboring countries seven times as much as the insults with which they have insulted you, Lord.

Pay back to our neighbors seven times into their lap the insults with which they have insulted you, LORD.

13 So we your people and sheep of your pasture will give you thanks forever. We will tell your praises 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.