Psalm 79

A Psalm of Asaph.

1        O God, the heathen enter'd have

                   thine heritage; by them

          Defiled is thy house: on heaps

                   they laid Jerusalem.

2        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.

3        Their blood about Jerusalem

                   like water they have shed;

          And there was none to bury them

                   when they were slain and dead.

4        Unto our neighbours a reproach

                   most base become are we;

          A scorn and laughingstock to them

                   that round about us be.

5        How long, Lord, shall thine anger last?

                   wilt thou still keep the same?

          And shall thy fervent jealousy

                   burn like unto a flame?

6        On heathen pour thy fury forth,

                   that have thee never known,

          And on those kingdoms which thy name

                   have never call'd upon.

7        For these are they who Jacob have

                   devoured cruelly;

          And they his habitation

                   have caused waste to lie.

8        Against us mind not former sins;

                   thy tender mercies show;

          Let them prevent us speedily,

                   for we're brought very low.

9        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.

10      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.

11      O let the pris'ner's sighs ascend

                   before thy sight on high;

          Preserve those in thy mighty pow'r

                   that are design'd to die.

12      And to our neighbours' bosom cause

                   it sev'n-fold render'd be,

          Ev'n the reproach wherewith they have,

                   O Lord, reproached thee.

13      So we thy folk, and pasture-sheep,

                   shall give thee thanks always;

          And unto generations all

                   we will shew forth thy praise.