PSALM 79 [†] O God,  z the nations have come into your  a inheritance;

they have defiled your  b holy temple;

they have  c laid Jerusalem in ruins.

2 They have given  d the bodies of your servants

to the birds of the heavens for food,

the flesh of your  e faithful to  f the beasts of the earth.

3 They have poured out their blood like water

all around Jerusalem,

and there was  g no one to bury them.

4 We have become  h a taunt to our neighbors,

 h mocked and derided by those around us.

5[†]  i How long, O LORD? Will you be angry  j forever?

Will your  k jealousy  l burn like fire?

6  m Pour out your anger on the nations

that  n do not know you,

and on the kingdoms

that  o do not call upon your name!

7 For they have devoured Jacob

and laid waste his habitation.

8[†]  p Do not remember against us  q our former iniquities; [1]

let your compassion come speedily to meet us,

for we are  r brought very low.

9[^][†]  s Help us, O God of our salvation,

for the glory of your name;

deliver us, and  t atone for our sins,

for your  u name’s sake!

10  v Why should the nations say,

“Where is their God?”

Let  w the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants

be known among the nations before our eyes!

11[†] Let  x the groans of the prisoners come before you;

according to your great power, preserve those  y doomed to die!

12[†] Return  z sevenfold into the  a lap of our neighbors

the  b taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord!

13 But we your people, the  c sheep of your pasture,

will  d give thanks to you forever;

from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

To the choirmaster: according to  e Lilies. A Testimony. Of  f Asaph, a Psalm.