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Psalm 79 ¹ A psalm of Asaph. O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.

² They have left the dead bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.

³ They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.

⁴ We are objects of contempt to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us.

⁵ How long, LORD ? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?

⁶ Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;

⁷ for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland.

⁸ Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.

⁹ Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.

¹⁰ Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.

¹¹ May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.

¹² Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord. ¹³ Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise.