Psalm 79

Plea for Mercy for Jerusalem

A Psalm of Asaph.
¹O God, the nations have come into your inheritance;
   they have defiled your holy temple;
   they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.
²They have given the bodies of your servants
   to the birds of the air for food,
   the flesh of your faithful to the wild animals of the earth.
³They have poured out their blood like water
   all around Jerusalem,
   and there was no one to bury them.
⁴We have become a taunt to our neighbours,
   mocked and derided by those around us.

⁵How long, O Lord? Will you be angry for ever?
   Will your jealous wrath burn like fire?
⁶Pour out your anger on the nations
   that do not know you,
and on the kingdoms
   that do not call on your name.
⁷For they have devoured Jacob
   and laid waste his habitation.

⁸Do not remember against us the iniquities of our ancestors;
   let your compassion come speedily to meet us,
   for we are brought very low.
⁹Help us, O God of our salvation,
   for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and forgive our sins,
   for your name’s sake.