Psalms 79

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

[A Psalm by Asaph.] 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 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

How long, Jehovah? 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 do not call on your name.

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

7 For Jacob they devoured, they have desolated his home.

For they have devoured Jacob, and destroyed his homeland.

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

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

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

Help us, God of 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 revenge for the outpoured blood of your servants be shown on the heathen before our eyes.

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

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

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

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

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

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