Psalms 79

1 [A Psalm by Asaph.] God, the nations have come into your inheritance. They have defiled your holy temple. They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.

A psalm of Asaph. Heathen, O God, have come into your land, defiling your holy temple, and laying Jerusalem in ruins.

2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your faithful to the animals of the earth.

They have given the bodies of your dead servants to the birds of the air to devour, and the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the field.

3 Their blood they have shed like water around Jerusalem. There was no one to bury them.

Round about Jerusalem they have poured out their blood like water; and there was no one to bury them.

4 We have become objects of contempt to our neighbors, mocked and ridiculed by those who are around us.

On every side our neighbours revile us and mock us and jeer at us.

5 How long, YHWH? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?

How long will you be angry, O Lord? Will your jealousy burn like fire forever?

6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you; on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;

Pour out your wrath on the nations that don’t know you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name.

7 For they have devoured Jacob, and destroyed his homeland.

For Jacob they devoured, they have desolated his home.

8 Do not hold the iniquities of our forefathers against us. Let your tender mercies speedily meet us, for we are in desperate need.

Do not remember against us our ancestors’ sins; O meet us soon with your pity, for utterly weak are we.

9 Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of your name. Deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name's sake.

Help us, O God our saviour, for the renown of your name: for your reputation deliver us and cover over our sins.

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.

Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’ Let revenge for the outpoured blood of your servants be shown on the heathen before our eyes.

11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you. According to the greatness of your power, free those who are sentenced to death.

May the groans of the prisoner come before you; free the children of death by your mighty arm.

12 Pay back to our neighbors seven times into their lap the insults with which they have insulted you, YHWH.

Pay our neighbours back sevenfold for the scorn they have heaped upon you, O Lord.

13 So we, your people and sheep of your pasture, will give you thanks forever. We will praise you forever, to all generations.

Then we, your people, the flock of your pasture, will give thanks to you for evermore, and tell your praise to all generations.