Psalms 79

1 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 skies, the bodies of your faithful people to the beasts of the earth.⋮

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

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

5 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 do not know you and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name.⋮

7 For they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his villages.⋮

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

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

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

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