Psalms 79

1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

“A psalm of Asaph.” O God! the nations have come into thine inheritance; They have polluted thy holy temple; They have made Jerusalem a heap of ruins!

2 The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.

They have given the dead bodies of thy servants to be food for the birds of heaven, The flesh of thy holy ones to the wild beasts of the earth!

3 Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.

Their blood have they shed like water around Jerusalem, And there was none to bury them!

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

We have become the reproach of our neighbors, —The scorn and derision of those around us.

5 How long, O LORD, wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

How long, O LORD! wilt thou be angry for ever? How long shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

6 Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the kingdoms that call not upon thy name.

Pour out thy wrath on the nations which acknowledge thee not. And on the kingdoms which call not upon thy name!

7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his habitation.

For they have devoured Jacob, And laid waste his dwelling-place.

8 Remember not against us the iniquities of our forefathers: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.

O remember not against us former iniquities; Let thy tender mercy speedily succor us,

9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.

For we are brought very low! Help us, O God of our salvation! for the honor of thy name; F or thy name's sake save us, and forgive our iniquities!

10 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed be known among the heathen in our sight.

Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” May the revenging of the blood of thy servants, which hath been shed, Be manifested among the nations before our eyes!

11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to death;

Let the cry of the prisoner come before thee! According to the greatness of thy power preserve those that are appointed to die!

12 And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

And return sevenfold into our neighbors' bosoms The reproach with which they have reproached thee, O Lord!

13 So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

So shall we, thy people, and the flock of thy pasture, Give thanks to thee for ever. And show forth thy praise to all generations.