Psalm 79

¹O God, the heathen have come into your inheritance; they have profaned your holy temple; *they have made Jerusalem a heap of rubble.

²They have given the bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the air, *and the flesh of your faithful ones to the beasts of the field.

³They have shed their blood like water on every side of Jerusalem, *and there was no one to bury them.

⁴We have become a reproach to our neighbors, *an object of scorn and derision to those around us.

⁵How long will you be angry, O Lord? *will your fury blaze like fire for ever?

⁶Pour out your wrath upon the heathen who have not known you *and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon your Name.

⁷For they have devoured Jacob *and made his dwelling a ruin.

⁸Remember not our past sins; let your compassion be swift to meet us; *for we have been brought very low.

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

¹⁰Why should the heathen say, “Where is their God?” *Let it be known among the heathen and in our sight that you avenge the shedding of your servants’ blood.

¹¹Let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoners come before you, *and by your great might spare those who are condemned to die.

¹²May the revilings with which they reviled you, O Lord, *return seven-fold into their bosoms.

¹³For we are your people and the sheep of your pasture; *we will give you thanks for ever and show forth your praise from age to age.