Psalm 79

English Standard Version

1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. (Ex 15:17; 2Ki 25:9; 2Ch 36:19; Ps 50:1; Ps 74:2; Ps 74:7; Jer 26:18; La 1:10; Mic 3:12)2 They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food, the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth. (De 28:26; Ps 50:5; Ps 74:19; Jer 7:33; Jer 16:4; Jer 19:7; Jer 34:20)3 They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them. (2Ki 9:10; Jer 14:16)4 We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us. (Ps 44:13; Da 9:16)5 How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire? (Ps 13:1; Ps 74:1; Ps 74:10; Ps 78:21; Ps 78:58; Ps 80:4; Ps 85:5; Ps 89:46)6 Pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name! (Ps 14:4; Jer 10:25; Zep 3:8; 2Th 1:8)7 For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation.8 Do not remember against us our former iniquities;[1] let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. (Ps 116:6; Ps 142:6; Isa 64:9; Jer 11:10)9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake! (2Ch 14:11; Ps 23:3; Ps 65:3; Jer 14:7; Jer 14:21)10 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants be known among the nations before our eyes! (Ps 42:3; Ps 94:1)11 Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die! (1Sa 20:31; Ps 102:20)12 Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord! (Ge 4:15; Ge 4:24; Le 26:21; Le 26:28; Ps 74:10; Pr 6:31; Isa 65:6; Jer 32:18)13 But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise. (Ps 74:1; Isa 43:21)

Psalm 79

New International Version

1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.2 They have left the dead bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.3 They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no-one to bury the dead.4 We are objects of contempt to our neighbours, of scorn and derision to those around us.5 How long, Lord? Will you be angry for ever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;7 for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland.8 Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.9 Help us, God our Saviour, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.10 Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’ Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.12 Pay back into the laps of our neighbours seven times the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you for ever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise.