Psalms 79

1 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.

A psalm of Asaph. God, foreign nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have turned Jerusalem into a heap of ruins.

2 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.

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

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

They have shed their blood like water around Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them.

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

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

5 How long, Lord? Will you be angry with us forever? Will your jealousy always burn like fire?

How long, Yahweh? Will you stay angry forever? How long will your jealous anger burn like fire?

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

Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name.

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

For they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his villages.

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

Do not hold the sins of our forefathers against us; may your merciful actions come to us, for we are very low.

9 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!

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

10 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.

Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” May the blood of your servants that was shed be avenged on the nations before our eyes.

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

May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with the greatness of your power keep the children of death alive.

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

Pay back into the laps of our neighboring countries seven times as much as the insults with which they have insulted you, Lord.

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

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