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. God, heathen nations have invaded your land. They have defiled your holy Temple. They have turned Jerusalem into heaps of rubble.

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.

They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of your faithful people to the beasts of the earth.

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

They have poured out the blood of Jerusalem's people like water all through the city; no one remains to bury the dead.

4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scoffing and derision to those who are around us.

We have been made a mockery before our neighbors, ridiculed and laughed at by those around us.

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

How long, Lord? Will you be angry with us forever? Will your jealousy always 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,

Pour out your anger on the heathen nations that don't know you, and on those kingdoms that don't worship you!

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

For they have destroyed the descendants of Jacob, and turned our country into a wasteland.

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

Don't hold the sins of our forefathers against us! Come to us quickly for we desperately need your compassion.

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, God of our salvation, because of your wonderful character! Save us and forgive us our sins because that's the kind of person you are!

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 heathen nations be able to say, “Where is their God?” May they experience your punishment for shedding the blood of your servants, and may we see it.

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

Listen to the groans of the prisoners; with your great power save those condemned to die.

12 Pay back to our neighbors seven times into their bosom their reproach with which they have reproached you, Lord.

Pay each of these neighbors back seven times for the scorn and ridicule they directed against 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.

Then we your people, the flock of your pasture, will praise you forever. We will thank you for all generations to come.