Psalms 79

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

² They have given the bodies of thy servants to the birds of the air for food, the flesh of thy saints to the beasts of the earth.

³ They have poured out their blood like water round about Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them.

⁴ We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those round about us.

⁵ How long, O LORD? Wilt thou be angry for ever? Will thy jealous wrath burn like fire?

⁶ Pour out thy anger on the nations that do not know thee, and on the kingdoms that do not call on thy name!

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

⁸ Do not remember against us the iniquities of our forefathers; let thy compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low.

⁹ Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name; deliver us, and forgive our sins, for thy name's sake!

¹⁰ Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of thy servants be known among the nations before our eyes!

¹¹ Let the groans of the prisoners come before thee; according to thy great power preserve those doomed to die!

¹² Return sevenfold into the bosom of our neighbors the taunts with which they have taunted thee, O Lord!

¹³ Then we thy people, the flock of thy pasture, will give thanks to thee for ever; from generation to generation we will recount thy praise.