Psalms 79

Faith amid Confusion

A psalm of Asaph. # 79:title 1Ch 16:5,7

1 God, the nations have invaded your inheritance,

desecrated your holy temple,

and turned Jerusalem into ruins.  * 79:1 Jr 26:18; Lm 1:10; Mc 3:12

2 They gave the corpses of your servants

to the birds of the sky for food,

the flesh of your faithful ones

to the beasts of the earth.  * 79:2 Dt 28:26; Jr 7:33; 16:4

3 They poured out their blood

like water all around Jerusalem,

and there was no one to bury them.  * 79:3 Jr 14:16; 16:4; 22:19

4 We have become an object of reproach

to our neighbors,

a source of mockery and ridicule

to those around us.  * 79:4 Ps 44:13–14; 80:6; Dn 9:16

5 How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever?

Will your jealousy keep burning like fire?  * 79:5 Ps 74:10; 78:58; 80:4

6 Pour out your wrath on the nations

that don’t acknowledge you,

on the kingdoms that don’t call on your name,  * 79:6 Ps 14:4; Jr 10:25

7 for they have devoured Jacob

and devastated his homeland.  * 79:7 Ps 53:4

8 Do not hold past iniquities  * 79:8 Or hold the sins of past generations against us;

let your compassion come to us quickly,

for we have become very weak.  * 79:8 Ps 142:6; Is 64:9

9 God of our salvation, help us,  * 79:9 1Ch 16:35; Ps 85:4

for the glory of your name.

Rescue us and atone for our sins,

for your name’s sake.  * 79:9 Ps 25:11; 106:8; Jr 14:7

10 Why should the nations ask,

"Where is their God? "  * 79:10 Ps 42:3,10; 115:2

Before our eyes,

let vengeance for the shed blood of your servants

be known among the nations.  * 79:10 Dt 32:43; Ps 94:1–2; Jr 46:10

11 Let the groans of the prisoners reach you;

according to your great power,

preserve those condemned to die.  * 79:11 Ps 102:20

12 Pay back sevenfold to our neighbors  * 79:12 Lv 26:21,28

the reproach they have hurled at you, Lord.  * 79:12 Ps 74:10,18,22

13 Then we, your people, the sheep of your pasture,  * 79:13 Ps 74:1; 100:3

will thank you forever;

we will declare your praise

to generation after generation.  * 79:13 Ps 89:1; Is 43:21