Psalms 79:1–13

¹ A Psalm of Asaph. The nations, O God, have invaded Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple and reduced Jerusalem to rubble. ² They have given the corpses 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 their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead. ⁴ We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those around us. ⁵ How long, O LORD? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire? ⁶ Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, on the kingdoms that refuse to call on Your name, ⁷ for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland. ⁸ Do not hold past sins against us; let Your compassion come quickly, for we are brought low. ⁹ Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and atone for our sins, for the sake of Your name. ¹⁰ Why should the nations ask, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations Your vengeance for the bloodshed of Your servants. ¹¹ May the groans of the captives reach You; by the strength of Your arm preserve those condemned to death. ¹² Pay back into the laps of our neighbors sevenfold the reproach they hurled at You, O Lord. ¹³ Then we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will thank You forever; from generation to generation we will declare Your praise.