> [[psalm-78|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-80|Next →]] --- # Psalm 79 ## A Prayer for Jerusalem 1 A psalm of Asaph. ^psalm-79-1 ### I O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. 2 They have left the corpses of your servants ^psalm-79-2 as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of those devoted to you for the beasts of the earth. 3 They have poured out their blood like water ^psalm-79-3 all around Jerusalem, and no one is left to do the burying. 4 We have become the reproach of our neighbors, ^psalm-79-4 the scorn and derision of those around us. ### II 5 How long, LORD? Will you be angry forever? ^psalm-79-5 Will your jealous anger keep burning like fire? 6 Pour out your wrath on nations that do not recognize you, ^psalm-79-6 on kingdoms that do not call on your name, 7 For they have devoured Jacob, ^psalm-79-7 laid waste his dwelling place. 8 Do not remember against us the iniquities of our forefathers; ^psalm-79-8 let your compassion move quickly ahead of us, for we have been brought very low. ### III 9 Help us, God our savior, ^psalm-79-9 on account of the glory of your name. Deliver us, pardon our sins for your name’s sake. 10 Why should the nations say, ^psalm-79-10 “Where is their God?” Before our eyes make known to the nations that you avenge the blood of your servants which has been poured out. ### IV 11 Let the groaning of the imprisoned come in before you; ^psalm-79-11 in accord with the greatness of your arm preserve those doomed to die. 12 Turn back sevenfold into the bosom of our neighbors ^psalm-79-12 the insult with which they insulted you, Lord. 13 Then we, your people, the sheep of your pasture, ^psalm-79-13 will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise. --- ## \* (Psalm 79) A communal lament complaining that the nations have defiled the Temple and murdered the holy people, leaving their corpses unburied ([Ps 79:1] – [4]). The occasion is probably the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army in 587 B.C. The people ask how long the withdrawal of divine favor will last ([Ps 79:5]), pray for action now ([Ps 79:6] – [7]), and admit that their own sins have brought about the catastrophe ([Ps 79:8] – [9]). They seek to persuade God to act for reasons of honor: the nations who do not call upon the Name are running amok ([Ps 79:6]); the divine honor is compromised ([Ps 79:1], [10], [12]); God’s own servants suffer ([Ps 79:2] – [4], [11]). a. (79:1) [2 Kgs 25:9] – [10]; [Lam 1:10]. b. (79:2) [Jer 7:33]. c. (79:3) [1 Mc 7:17]; [Jer 14:16]. d. (79:4) [Ps 44:14]; [80:7]; [123:3] – [4]; [Jb 12:4]; [Dn 9:16]; [Zep 2:8]. e. (79:5) ([[psalm-13|Ps 13]]:2]; [44:24]; [89:47]; [Dt 4:24]. f. (79:6) ([[psalm-14|Ps 14]]:4]; [Jer 10:25]. g. (79:8) [Ps 142:7]. h. (79:9) [[ezekiel-20|Ez 20]]:44; [36:22]. i. (79:10) [Ps 42:4]; [115:2]; [Jl 2:17]. j. (79:10) [Jl 4:21]. k. (79:11) [Ps 102:21]. l. (79:12) [Ps 89:51] – [52]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-78|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-80|Next →]]