Psalms 79

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[1]The Psalmist complaineth of the desolation of Jerusalem: [8]he prayeth for deliverance, [13]and promiseth thankfulness.

A Psalm of Asaph.

1. O GOD, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

2. The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, 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 neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

5. How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

6. Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

7. For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.

8. O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent 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 purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.

10. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.

11. Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;

12. And render unto our neighbours 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 shew forth thy praise to all generations.

Metrical version

Psalm 79

C.M. Martyrs

O God, the heathen entered have
thine heritage; by them
Defiled is thy house: on heaps
they laid Jerusalem.

The bodies of thy servants they
have cast forth to be meat
To rav'nous fowls; thy dear saints' flesh
they gave to beasts to eat.

Their blood about Jerusalem
like water they have shed;
And there was none to bury them
when they were slain and dead.

Unto our neighbours a reproach
most base become are we;
A scorn and laughingstock to them
that round about us be.

How long, LORD, shall thine anger last?
wilt thou still keep the same?
And shall thy fervent jealousy
burn like unto a flame?

On heathen pour thy fury forth,
that have thee never known,
And on those kingdoms which thy name
have never called upon.

For these are they who Jacob have
devoured cruelly;
And they his habitation
have caused waste to lie.

Against us mind not former sins;
thy tender mercies show;
Let them prevent us speedily,
for we're brought very low.

For thy name's glory help us, Lord,
who hast our Saviour been:
Deliver us; for thy name's sake,
O purge away our sin.

Why say the heathen, Where's their God?
let him to them be known;
When those who shed thy servants' blood
are in our sight o'erthrown.

O let the pris'ner's sighs ascend
before thy sight on high;
Preserve those in thy mighty pow'r
that are designed to die.

And to our neighbours' bosom cause
it sev'n-fold rendered be,
Ev'n the reproach wherewith they have,
O Lord, reproached thee.

So we thy folk, and pasture-sheep,
shall give thee thanks always;
And unto generations all
we will show forth thy praise.