Psalms 79 ASV
Summary: A communal lament of Asaph mourning Jerusalem's destruction: "O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled... Jerusalem in heaps" (v. 1), with the dead left unburied and given "to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven" (v. 2). The psalmist begs God not to remember past iniquities and to pour out wrath instead on the surrounding nations that devoured Jacob, pleading for mercy "for we are brought very low" (v. 8). It closes with a vow that the rescued flock will thank God forever, alongside a raw request for sevenfold vengeance on the neighboring peoples who reproached him.
1A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the nations are come into thine inheritance; Thy holy temple have they defiled; They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.
2The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be food unto the birds of the heavens, The flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.
3Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; And there was none to bury them.
4We are become a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing and derision to them that are round about us.
5How long, O Jehovah? wilt thou be angry for ever? Shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
6Pour out thy wrath upon the nations that know thee not, And upon the kingdoms that call not upon thy name.
7For they have devoured Jacob, And laid waste his habitation.
8Remember not against us the iniquities of our forefathers: Let thy tender mercies speedily meet us; For we are brought very low.
9Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name; And deliver us, and forgive our sins, for thy name’s sake.
10Wherefore should the nations say, Where is their God? Let the avenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed Be known among the nations in our sight.
11Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee: According to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to death;
12And render unto our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom Their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.
13So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture Will give thee thanks for ever: We will show forth thy praise to all generations.
Also read this chapter in: KJV, WEB, WYC, GNV, WBT, DBY, YLT