Psalms 79

1 God, nations entered your inheritance. They defiled your holy temple and turned Jerusalem into a fruit watchman’s hut.

2 They gave your servants’ corpses as food to the birds of heaven and the flesh of your holy ones to the wild animals of the earth.

3 They poured out their blood like water around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them.

4 We became a reproach to our neighbors, an object of scorn and mockery to those around us.

5 How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?

6 Pour your anger upon nations that do not know you and kingdoms that have not called upon your name,

7 because they devoured Jacob and made his place desolate.

8 Do not remember our ancient lawlessness. May your compassion quickly meet us, because we have become extremely poor.

9 Help us, God, the one who rescues us. For the glory of your name, Lord, rescue us and be merciful to us despite our sins, because of your name.

10 Otherwise the nations may say, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, may the vengeance for the shed blood of your servants become known among the nations.

11 May the groaning of prisoners come before you. In keeping with the greatness of your arm, preserve the children of those put to death.

12 Repay our neighbors seven times over into their laps for the reproach with which they reproached you, Lord.

13 But we are your people and the sheep of your pasture. We will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise.