Jerusalem in Ruins
A psalm of Asaph.
Jerusalem lies in ruins, the bodies unburied and fed to birds, and the neighbors are enjoying it. The prayer asks our Father for forgiveness and for revenge in the same breath, and its argument is public: the nations are asking where their God went.
79 1Our Father, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.
2They have given the corpses of your servants as food to the birds of the sky, the flesh of your faithful ones to the beasts 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 an object of scorn to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us.
5How long, our Father? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire? 6Pour out your wrath 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 homeland. 8Do not hold against us the sins of our ancestors; let your tender compassion come quickly to meet us, for we have been brought very low.
9Help us, our Father who saves us, for the glory of your name; rescue us and cover over our sins for your name's sake. 10Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Before our eyes, let it be known among the nations that you bring justice for the shed blood of your servants. 11Let the groaning of the prisoner come before you; by the greatness of your arm, preserve those condemned to die.
12Repay our neighbors sevenfold into their laps for the scorn with which they scorned you, O Sovereign Father. 13Then we, your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give you thanks forever; from generation to generation we will declare your praise.
