A psalm of Asaph.
79:1 O God, foreigners have invaded your chosen land; they have polluted your holy temple and turned Jerusalem into a heap of ruins.
79:2 They have given the corpses of your servants to the birds of the sky; the flesh of your loyal followers to the beasts of the earth.
79:3 They have made their blood flow like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury them.
79:4 We have become an object of disdain to our neighbors; those who live on our borders taunt and insult us.
79:5 How long will this go on, O Lord? Will you stay angry forever? How long will your rage burn like fire?
79:6 Pour out your anger on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not pray to you!
79:7 For they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his home.
79:8 Do not hold us accountable for the sins of earlier generations! Quickly send your compassion our way, for we are in serious trouble!
79:9 Help us, O God, our deliverer! For the sake of your glorious reputation, rescue us! Forgive our sins for the sake of your reputation!
79:10 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Before our very eyes may the shed blood of your servants be avenged among the nations!
79:11 Listen to the painful cries of the prisoners! Use your great strength to set free those condemned to die!
79:12 Pay back our neighbors in full! May they be insulted the same way they insulted you, O sovereign Master!
79:13 Then we, your people, the sheep of your pasture, will continually thank you. We will tell coming generations of your praiseworthy acts.