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)