Psalm 79:1-13
A psalm of Asaph.
1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
2 They have left the dead bodies of your servants
as food for the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.
3 They have poured out blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there is no one to bury the dead.
4 We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,
of scorn and derision to those around us.
5 How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever?
How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations
that do not acknowledge you,
on the kingdoms
that do not call on your name;
7 for they have devoured Jacob
and devastated his homeland.
8 Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
9 Help us, God our Savior,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name’s sake.
10 Why 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.
11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you;
with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.
12 Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times
the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.
13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you forever;
from generation to generation
we will proclaim your praise.
This is a song, a poem, a praising of God who has allowed the city of Jerusalem to be reduced to rubble...This is one of the Imprecatory Psalms...This song was probably written by Asaph after Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians...It is a song of lamentation, of great sadness as the people of Judah were exiled to Babylon...
The song asks God, "How long, LORD?...Will you be angry forever?...How long will your jealousy burn like fire?...Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, on the kingdoms that do not call on Your Name; for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland...Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may Your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need...Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake...Why 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."...