1O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.2They have left the dead bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.3They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no-one to bury the dead.4We are objects of contempt to our neighbours, of scorn and derision to those around us.5How long, Lord? Will you be angry for ever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?6Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;7for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland.8Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.9Help us, God our Saviour, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.10Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’ Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.11May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.12Pay back into the laps of our neighbours seven times the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.13Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you for ever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise.
Psalm 79
English Standard Version
How Long, O Lord?
1A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. (Ex 15:17; 2Ki 25:9; 2Ch 36:19; Ps 50:1; Ps 74:2; Ps 74:7; Jer 26:18; La 1:10; Mic 3:12)2They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food, the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth. (De 28:26; Ps 50:5; Ps 74:19; Jer 7:33; Jer 16:4; Jer 19:7; Jer 34:20)3They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them. (2Ki 9:10; Jer 14:16)4We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us. (Ps 44:13; Da 9:16)5How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire? (Ps 13:1; Ps 74:1; Ps 74:10; Ps 78:21; Ps 78:58; Ps 80:4; Ps 85:5; Ps 89:46)6Pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name! (Ps 14:4; Jer 10:25; Zep 3:8; 2Th 1:8)7For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation.8Do not remember against us our former iniquities;[1] let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. (Ps 116:6; Ps 142:6; Isa 64:9; Jer 11:10)9Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake! (2Ch 14:11; Ps 23:3; Ps 65:3; Jer 14:7; Jer 14:21)10Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants be known among the nations before our eyes! (Ps 42:3; Ps 94:1)11Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die! (1Sa 20:31; Ps 102:20)12Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord! (Ge 4:15; Ge 4:24; Le 26:21; Le 26:28; Ps 74:10; Pr 6:31; Isa 65:6; Jer 32:18)13But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise. (Ps 74:1; Isa 43:21)