Psalms, 79

A melody of Aʹsaph.

¹ O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; They have defiled your holy temple; They have laid Jerusalem in a heap of ruins.

² They have given the dead body of your servants as food to the fowls of the heavens, The flesh of your loyal ones to the wild beasts of the earth.

³ They have poured out their blood like water All around Jerusalem, and there is no one to do the burying.

⁴ We have become a reproach to our neighbors, A derision and a jeering to those round about us.

⁵ How long, O Jehovah, will you be incensed? Forever? How long will your ardor burn just like fire?

⁶ Pour out your rage upon the nations that have not known you, And upon the kingdoms that have not called upon your own name.

⁷ For they have eaten up Jacob, And they have caused his own abiding place to be desolated.

⁸ Do not remember against us the errors of ancestors. Hurry! Let your mercies confront us, For we have become greatly impoverished.

⁹ Help us, O God of our salvation, For the sake of the glory of your name; And deliver us and cover over our sins on account of your name.

¹⁰ Why should the nations say: “Where is their God?” Among the nations let there be known before our eyes The avenging of the blood of your servants that has been shed.

¹¹ May the sighing of the prisoner come in even before you. According to the greatness of your arm preserve^*1 those appointed to death.^*2

¹² And repay to our neighbors seven times into their bosom Their reproach with which they have reproached you, O Jehovah.^*1

¹³ As for us your people and the flock of your pasturage, We shall give thanks to you to time indefinite; From generation to generation we shall declare your praise.