Psalm 79 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

How Long, O Lord?

Psa 79:1A Psalm of Asaph.
O God, the nations have come into your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple;
they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.

Psa 79:2

Psa 79:2They have given the bodies of your servants
to the birds of the heavens for food,
the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.

Psa 79:3

Psa 79:3They have poured out their blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there was no one to bury them.

Psa 79:4

Psa 79:4We have become a taunt to our neighbors,
mocked and derided by those around us.

Psa 79:5

Psa 79:5How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever?
Will your jealousy burn like fire?

Psa 79:6

Psa 79:6Pour out your anger on the nations
that do not know you,
and on the kingdoms
that do not call upon your name!

Psa 79:7

Psa 79:7For they have devoured Jacob
and laid waste his habitation.

Psa 79:8

Psa 79:8Do not remember against us our former iniquities;[fn]
let your compassion come speedily to meet us,
for we are brought very low.

Psa 79:9

Psa 79:9Help us, O God of our salvation,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and atone for our sins,
for your name’s sake!

Psa 79:10

Psa 79:10Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants
be known among the nations before our eyes!

Psa 79:11

Psa 79:11Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;
according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die!

Psa 79:12

Psa 79:12Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors
the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord!

Psa 79:13

Psa 79:13But we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

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ESV Footnotes

(79:8)

Or the iniquities of former generations

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