Psalms 79 — AAB

A Prayer for Deliverance

A Psalm of Asaph.

79Verse 1The nations, O God, have invaded Your inheritance;they have defiled Your holy temple
and reduced Jerusalem to rubble.^{Verse 2}They have given the corpses of Your servantsas food to the birds of the air,
the flesh of Your holy ones to the beasts of the earth.^{Verse 3}They have poured out their blood like waterall around Jerusalem,
and there is no one to bury the dead.^{Verse 4}We have become a reproach to our neighbors,a scorn and derision to those around us.^{Verse 5}How long, O LORD?Will You be angry forever?
Will Your jealousy burn like fire?^{Verse 6}Pour out Your wrath on the nationsthat do not acknowledge You,on the kingdomsthat refuse to call on Your name,^{Verse 7}for they have devoured Jacoband devastated his homeland.^{Verse 8}Do not hold past sins against us;let Your compassion come quickly,
for we are brought low.^{Verse 9}Help us, O God of our salvation,for the glory of Your name;deliver us and purge our sins,for the sake of Your name.^{Verse 10}Why should the nations ask,“Where is their God?”Before our eyes, make known among the nationsYour vengeance for the bloodshed of Your servants.^{Verse 11}May the groans of the captives reach You;by the strength of Your arm preserve those condemned to death.^{Verse 12}Pay back into the laps of our neighborssevenfold the reproach they hurled at You, O Lord.^{Verse 13}Then we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture,will thank You forever;from generation to generationwe will declare Your praise.