Psalms 79

₁Our God, foreign nations

have taken your land,

disgraced your temple,

and left Jerusalem in ruins.

₂They have fed the bodies

of your servants

to flesh-eating birds;

your loyal people are food

for savage animals.

₃All Jerusalem is covered

with their blood,

and there is no one left

to bury them.

₄Every nation around us

sneers and makes fun.

₅Our LORD, will you keep on

being angry?

Will your angry feelings

keep flaming up like fire?

₆Get angry with those nations

that don't know you

and won't worship you!

₇They have gobbled up

Jacob's descendants

and left the land in ruins.

₈Don't make us pay for the sins

of our ancestors.

Have pity and come quickly!

We are completely helpless.

₉Our God, you keep us safe.

Now help us! Rescue us.

Forgive our sins

and bring honour to yourself.

₁₀Why should nations ask us,

“Where is your God?”

Let us and the other nations

see you take revenge

for your servants who died

a violent death.

₁₁Listen to the prisoners groan!

Let your mighty power save all

who are sentenced to die.

₁₂Each of those nations sneered

at you, our Lord.

Now let others sneer at them,

seven times as much.

₁₃Then we, your people,

will always thank you.

We are like sheep

with you as our shepherd,

and all generations

will hear us praise you.