Psalms 79:1-13

  • A prayer when nations invaded God’s people

    • ‘We are an object of reproach’ (4)

    • ‘Help us for your name’s sake’ (9)

    • “Repay our neighbors sevenfold” (12)

A melody of Aʹsaph.+ 79  O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;+They have defiled your holy temple;+They have turned Jerusalem into a heap of ruins.+   They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the heavensAnd the flesh of your loyal ones to the wild beasts of the earth.+   They have poured out their blood like water around Jerusalem,And no one is left to bury them.+   We have become an object of reproach to our neighbors;+Those around us ridicule and jeer us.   How long, O Jehovah, will you be furious? Forever?+ How long will your indignation burn just like fire?+   Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know youAnd on the kingdoms that do not call on your name.+   For they have devoured JacobAnd have desolated his homeland.+   Do not hold us accountable for the errors of our ancestors.+ Quickly show us your mercy,+For we have been brought very low.   Help us, O God of our salvation,+For the sake of your glorious name;Rescue us and forgive* our sins for the sake of your name.+ 10  Why should the nations say: “Where is their God?”+ Before our eyes may it become known among the nationsThat the shed blood of your servants has been avenged.+ 11  May you hear the sighing of the prisoner.+ Use your great power* to preserve* those sentenced to death.*+ 12  Repay our neighbors sevenfold+For the taunts they have leveled at you, O Jehovah.+ 13  Then we, your people and the flock of your pasture,+Will give thanks to you forever;And we will declare your praise from generation to generation.+

Footnotes

Lit., “cover.”
Lit., “arm.”
Or possibly, “set free.”
Lit., “the sons of death.”