Psalms 79

A Psalm. Of Asaph.

They have given the bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the air, and the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth.

Their blood has been flowing like water round about Jerusalem; there was no one to put them in their last resting-place.

We are looked down on by our neighbours, we are laughed at and made sport of by those who are round us.

How long, O Lord? will you be angry for ever? will your wrath go on burning like fire?

Let your wrath be on the nations who have no knowledge of you, and on the kingdoms who have not made prayer to your name.

For they have taken Jacob for their meat, and made waste his house.

Do not keep in mind against us the sins of our fathers; let your mercy come to us quickly, for we have been made very low.

Give us help, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; take us out of danger and give us forgiveness for our sins, because of your name.

Why may the nations say, Where is their God? Let payment for the blood of your servants be made openly among the nations before our eyes.

Let the cry of the prisoner come before you; with your strong arm make free the children of death;

And give punishment seven times over into the breast of our neighbours for the bitter words which they have said against you, O Lord.

So we your people, and the sheep of your flock, will give you glory for ever: we will go on praising you through all generations.