Psalm 79

¹ O God, the nations have come into your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple;
they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.

² They have given the corpses of your servants
as food to the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your faithful ones
to the beasts of the earth.

³ They have poured out their blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there was no one to bury them.

⁴ We have become a reproach to our neighbors,
a mockery 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 know you,
and on the kingdoms
that do not call on your name.

⁷ For they have devoured Jacob
and laid waste his dwelling.

⁸ Do not hold against us the guilt of our ancestors;
let your compassion come quickly to meet us,
for we have been brought very low.

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.

¹⁰ Why should the nations say,
"Where is their God?"
Let the avenging of your servants' blood that was shed
be known among the nations before our eyes.

¹¹ Let the groaning of the prisoner come before you;
by the greatness of your arm
preserve those condemned to die.

¹² Return to our neighbors sevenfold into their lap
the reproach with which they reproached you, O Lord.

¹³ Then we your people, the flock of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
from generation to generation
we will recount your praise.