The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Psalms 079
A Psalm by Asaph.
1 God, the nations have come into your
inheritance. They have defiled your holy temple.
They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.
2 They have given the dead bodies of your
servants to be food for the birds of
the sky, the flesh of your saints to the animals
of the earth.
3 They have shed their blood like water
around Jerusalem. There was no one to bury them.
4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors,
a scoffing and derision to those whoa re around us.
5 How long, Yahweh? Will you be angry forever?
Will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that
don’t know you, on the kingdoms that don’t call on
your name,
7 for they have devoured Jacob, and destroyed his homeland.
8 Don’t hold the iniquities of our forefathers against us.
Let your tender mercies speedily meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
9 Helpus, Godof our salvation,for the glory
of your name. Deliver us, and forgive our sins, for
your name’s sake.
10 Why should the nations say, “Where is
their God?” Let it be known among the nations,
before our eyes, that vengeance for your servants’
blood is being poured out.
11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come
before you. According to the greatness of your
power, preserve those who are sentenced to death.
12 Pay back to our neighbors seven times
into their bosom their reproach with which they have
reproached you, Lord.
13 So we, your people and sheep of your
pasture, will give you thanks forever.
We will praise you forever, to all generations.