Psalm 79:1-80:19

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

2They 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.

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

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

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

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

7for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland.

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

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

10Why 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.

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

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

Psalm 80In Hebrew texts 80:1-19 is numbered 80:2-20. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” Of Asaph. A psalm. Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

2before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us.

3Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

4How long, LORD God Almighty, will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?

5You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.

6You have made us an object of derision Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text contention to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us.

7Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

8You transplanted a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.

9You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land.

10The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches.

11Its branches reached as far as the Sea, Probably the Mediterranean its shoots as far as the River. That is, the Euphrates

12Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its grapes?

13Boars from the forest ravage it, and insects from the fields feed on it.

14Return to us, God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine,

15the root your right hand has planted, the son Or branch you have raised up for yourself.

16Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire; at your rebuke your people perish.

17Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself.

18Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name. 19Restore us, LORD God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.