Psalms 79

1 A Psalm for Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into your inheritance; they have polluted your holy temple; they have made Jerusalem a storehouse of fruits.

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 holy ones for the wild beasts 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 They have shed their blood as water, round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury [them].

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

4 We are become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to them [that are] round about us.

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

5 How long, O Lord? will you be angry for ever? shall 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 upon the heathen that have not known you, and upon the kingdoms which have not called upon 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 laid his place waste.

For Jacob they devoured, they have desolated his home.

8 Remember not our old transgressions; let your tender mercies speedily prevent us; for we are greatly impoverished.

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

9 Help us, O God our Saviour; for the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us; and be merciful to 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 Lets haply they should say among the heathen, Where is their God? and let the avenging of your servant's blood that has been shed be known among the heathen before our eyes.

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 groaning of the prisoners come in before you; according to the greatness of your arm preserve the sons of the slain ones.

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

12 Repay to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, with which they have reproached you, O Lord.

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

13 For we are your people and the sheep of your pasture; we will give you thanks for ever; we will declare your praise throughout 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.