PSALMS
CHAPTER 79

A psalm of Asaph.

¹ O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
² They have given the dead bodies of your servants
as food to the birds of the air,
the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth.
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 reproach to our neighbors,
of scorn and derision to those around us.

⁵ How long, O LORD ? Will you be angry forever?
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 destroyed his homeland.
⁸ Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.

⁹ Help us, O God our Savior,
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;
by the strength of your arm
preserve those condemned to die.

¹² Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times
the reproach they have hurled at you, O Lord.
¹³ Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you forever;
from generation to generation
we will recount your praise.

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Bible text from Gospelcom.net.  Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

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