Psalm
79 Thursday Midday 3
God, the nations have invaded
your patrimony; * they have defiled your holy temple; * they have made
Jerusalem a heap of ruins.
They have given the corpses of your servants * to the birds of
heaven for food,
the flesh of your worshipers * to the beasts of the earth.
They have shed their blood like water, * with no one around
Jerusalem to bury them.
We have become the taunt of
our neighbors, * the mockery and scorn of those around us.
How long, Yahweh? Will you be ever angry? * How long will your
zeal burn like fire?
Pour out your rage, God, * on the nations that do not know you, *
on the kingdoms that do not invoke your name.
For they have devoured Jacob, * and ruined his land.
Do not record against us, Scribe, * the wrongs of our
forefathers.
Let your mercies come to meet us, * because we are sunk very
low.
Help us, our triumphant God! * For your glorious name's sake
rescue us; * forgive us our sins because of your name,
lest the nations say, * “Where is their God?”
That we may see your name known among the nations, * avenge the
shed blood of your servants!
Let the groans of your
prisoners * come before you;
with your long arm * preserve those condemned to die.
Pay our neighbors back seven times over, * right in their
lap, * for the taunts with which they taunted you, Lord.
We, your people and the sheep you tend, * will thank you forever.
From generation to generation
* we will tell your praise.