Psalms 79

¹O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.

²They 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.

³They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.

⁴We are objects of reproach to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us.

⁵How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?

⁶Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;

⁷for they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his homeland.

⁸Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.

⁹Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake.

¹⁰Why 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.

¹¹May the groans of the prisoners come before you; by the strength of your arm preserve those condemned to die.

¹²Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the reproach they have hurled at you, O Lord.

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