Psalms 79

1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen have come into thy inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

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.

2 The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be food to the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints to the beasts of the earth.

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.

3 Their blood have they shed like water around Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.

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

4 We have become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are around us.

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

5 How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

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

6 Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

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

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

For they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his villages.

8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily come to help us: for we are brought very low.

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

9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.

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.

10 Why should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by avenging the blood of thy servants which is shed.

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.

11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;

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

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

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

13 So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will show forth thy praise to all generations.

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