LXXIX A LAMENT OVER THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM, AND PRAYER FOR HELP
A Psalm of Asaph.
[1] O GOD, the nations are come into thine inheritance;
Thy holy temple have they defiled;
They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.
[2] The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be food unto the birds of the heavens,
The flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.
[3] Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem;
And there was none to bury them.
[4] We are become a reproach to our neighbors,
A scoffing and derision to them that are round about us.
[5] How long, O Jehovah? wilt thou be angry for ever?
Shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
[6] Pour out thy wrath upon the nations that know thee not,
And upon the kingdoms that call not upon thy name.
[7] For they have devoured Jacob,
And laid waste his habitation.〖Or, pasture.〗
[8] Remember not against us the iniquities of our forefathers:
Let thy tender mercies speedily meet us;
For we are brought very low.
[9] Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name;
And deliver us, and forgive〖Or, expiate.〗 our sins, for thy name’s sake.
[10] Wherefore should the nations say, Where is their God?
Let the avenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed
Be known among the nations in our sight.
[11] Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee:
According to the greatness of thy〖Heb. thine arm.〗 power preserve thou those〖Heb. the children of death.〗 that are appointed to death;
[12] And render unto our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom.
Their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.
[13] So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture
Will give thee thanks for ever:
We will show forth thy praise to all generations.