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 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 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 as food to the birds of the skies, the bodies of your faithful people to the beasts of the earth.

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

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

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

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

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

How long, Yahweh? Will you stay angry forever? How long will your jealous anger 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 and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name.

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

For they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his villages.

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 sins of our forefathers against us; may your merciful actions come to us, for we are very low.

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

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 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?” May the blood of your servants that was shed be avenged on the nations before our eyes.

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

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

12 Pay our neighbors back sevenfold for the scorn they have heaped upon you, O 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 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 tell your praises to all generations.