A psalm of Asaph.
79:1 O God, foreigners 2 have invaded your chosen land; 3
they have polluted your holy temple
and turned Jerusalem 4 into a heap of ruins.
79:2 They have given the corpses of your servants
to the birds of the sky; 5
the flesh of your loyal followers
to the beasts of the earth.
79:3 They have made their blood flow like water
all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury them. 6
79:4 We have become an object of disdain to our neighbors;
those who live on our borders taunt and insult us. 7
79:5 How long will this go on, O Lord? 8
Will you stay angry forever?
How long will your rage 9 burn like fire?
79:6 Pour out your anger on the nations that do not acknowledge you, 10
on the kingdoms that do not pray to you! 11
79:7 For they have devoured Jacob
and destroyed his home.