Psalms - Chapter 79

Lament Over the Ruin of Jerusalem

¹ A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance; Your holy temple they have defiled; They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.

² The dead bodies of Your servants They have given [as] food for the birds of the heavens, The flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.

³ Their blood they have shed like water all around Jerusalem, And [there was] no one to bury [them.]

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

⁵ 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 on Your name.

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

⁸ Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, For we have been brought very low.

⁹ Help us, O God of our salvation, For the glory of Your name; And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, For Your name's sake!

¹⁰ Why should the nations say, "Where [is] their God?" Let there be known among the nations in our sight The avenging of the blood of Your servants [which has been] shed.

¹¹ Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You; According to the greatness of Your power Preserve those who are appointed to die;

¹² And return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom Their reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord.

¹³ So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, Will give You thanks forever; We will show forth Your praise to all generations.