Psalm 79

God, nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple and reduced Jerusalem to heaps of rubble. They have given the bodies of your servants as food to the birds of heaven, the flesh of your faithful ones to the beasts of the earth. They have poured out their blood like water around Jerusalem, with no one to bury them. We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a mockery and a scorn to those around us. How long, LORD?
Will you be angry forever?
Will your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call on your name. For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his dwelling place. Do not remember against us the sins of those before us;
let your compassion hurry to meet us, for we have been brought very low. Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of your name.
Rescue us and atone for our sins for your name’s sake. Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Before our eyes, let vengeance for the shed blood of your servants be known among the nations. Let the groaning of the prisoner come before you;
by your mighty arm preserve those doomed to die. Return sevenfold into our neighbors’ bosom the reproach with which they have reproached you, Lord. Then we, your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give you thanks forever;
from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

Rights and attribution