Psalms 79
The Gentiles have desecrated God's temple and Jerusalem, killing and disrespecting the bodies of God's servants. The people of God are ridiculed and shamed by their neighbors, and they cry out to God to end his anger and pour out his wrath on the Gentiles. They ask God to forgive their past iniquities and to intervene on their behalf, that the Gentiles may not mock them by saying "Where is their God?" The people of God affirm their loyalty and promise to praise God forever.
1
A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the Gentiles have entered into your inheritance; they have polluted your holy temple. They have set Jerusalem as a place to tend fruit trees
2They have placed the dead bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your saints for the beasts of the earth
3They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one who would bury them
4We have become a disgrace to our neighbors, an object of ridicule and mockery to those who are around us
5How long, O Lord? Will you be angry until the end? Will your zeal be kindled like a fire
6Pour out your wrath among the Gentiles, who have not known you, and upon the kingdoms that have not invoked your name
7For they have devoured Jacob, and they have desolated his place
8Do not remember our iniquities of the past. May your mercies quickly intercept us, for we have become exceedingly poor
9Help us, O God, our Savior. And free us, Lord, for the glory of your name. And forgive us our sins for the sake of your name
10Let them not say among the Gentiles, "Where is their God?" And may your name become known among the nations before our eyes. For the retribution of your servants’ blood, which has been poured out
11may the groans of the shackled enter before you. According to the greatness of your arm, take possession of the sons of those who have been killed
12And repay our neighbors sevenfold within their sinews. It is the reproach of the same ones who brought reproach against you, O Lord
13But we are your people and the sheep of your pasture: we will give thanks to you in all ages. From generation to generation, we will announce your praise
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