79
A Psalm by Asaph.
Context: After Nebuchadnezzar attacks and places kings in tribute, in the last days before exile. This psalm is written post-destruction. (Jer 39). (Reference context: 1 King 8:46-53; 2 King 25:8-12; 2 Chr 36:13-21; Lev 26:27-45; Jer 38:24-40:6 (esp 39:15-40:3))
1 God, the nations have come into your inheritance.
They have defiled your holy temple.
They have laid Jerusalem [City of peace] in heaps.
2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food for the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your saints to the animals of the earth.
3 Their blood they have shed like water around Jerusalem [City of peace].
And there was no one to bury them. *
4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors,
a scoffing and derision to those who are around us.
5 How long, Adonai?
Will you be angry forever?
Will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that don’t know you; †
on the kingdoms that don’t call on your name;
7 For they have devoured Jacob [Supplanter],
and destroyed his homeland.
8 Don’t hold the depravities (moral evils) of our forefathers against us.
Let your tender rachamim ·merciful loves· speedily meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
9 Help us, God of our yesha' ·salvation·, for the kavod ·weighty glory· of your name.
Deliver us, and forgive our habitual sins ·missing the marks·, for your name’s sake.
10 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Let it be known among the nations, before our eyes,
that vengeance for your servants’ blood is being poured out.
11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you.
According to the greatness of your power, preserve those who are sentenced to death.
12 Pay back to our neighbors seven times into their bosom
their reproach with which they have reproached you, Lord.
13 So we, your people and sheep of your pasture,
will yadah ·extend hands in thankful praise· to you forever.
We will tehilah ·praise song· you forever, to all generations.
* 79:3 . Quoted in 1 Macc 7:17-18 † 79:6 . Quoted in 2 Thes 1:8