Psalm 79.1-9
1 O God, the heathen have come into your land:
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have made Jerusalem a heap of stones.
2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants
as food to the birds of the air:
and the flesh of your faithful ones
to the wild beasts of the earth.
3 Their blood they have spilt like water
on every side of Jerusalem:
and there is none to bury them.
4 We have become a mockery to our neighbours:
the scorn and laughing-stock of those about us.
5 How long, O Lord, shall your anger be so extreme:
will your jealous fury burn like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you:
on the kingdoms that have not called upon your name.
7 For they have devoured Jacob:
and made his dwelling-place a desolation.
8 Do not remember against us the sin of former times:
but let your compassion hasten to meet us,
for we are brought very low.
9 Help us, O God our saviour,
for the honour of your name:
O deliver us and expiate our sins, for your name’s sake.
