Psalms

A Psalm of Asaph.

1The nations, O God, have invaded Your inheritance;they have defiled Your holy temple and reduced Jerusalem to rubble.

2They have given the corpses of Your servantsas food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.

3They have poured out their blood like waterall around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.

4We have become a reproach to our neighbors,a scorn and derision to those around us.

5How long, O LORD?Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?

6Pour out Your wrath on the nationsthat do not acknowledge You,on the kingdomsthat refuse to call on Your name,

7for they have devoured Jacoband devastated his homeland.

8Do not hold past sins against us;let Your compassion come quickly, for we are brought low.

9Help us, O God of our salvation,for the glory of Your name;deliver us and atone for our sins,for the sake of Your name.

10Why should the nations ask,“Where is their God?”Before our eyes, make known among the nationsYour vengeance for the bloodshed of Your servants.

11May the groans of the captives reach You;by the strength of Your arm preserve those condemned to death.

12Pay back into the laps of our neighborssevenfold the reproach they hurled at You, O Lord.

13Then we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture,will thank You forever;from generation to generationwe will declare Your praise.

A Psalm by Asaph.

1God, the nations have come into your inheritance.They have defiled your holy temple. They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.

2They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food for the birds of the sky,the flesh of your saints to the animals of the earth.

3They have shed their blood like water around Jerusalem.There was no one to bury them.

4We have become a reproach to our neighbors,a scoffing and derision to those who are around us.

5How long, LORD?Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?

6Pour out your wrath on the nations that don’t know you,on the kingdoms that don’t call on your name,

7for they have devoured Jacob,and destroyed his homeland.

8Don’t hold the iniquities of our forefathers against us.Let your tender mercies speedily meet us, for we are in desperate need.

9Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of your name.Deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name’s sake.

10Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”Let it be known among the nations, before our eyes, that vengeance for your servants’ blood is being poured out.

11Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you.According to the greatness of your power, preserve those who are sentenced to death.

12Pay back to our neighbors seven times into their bosomtheir reproach with which they have reproached you, Lord.

13So we, your people and sheep of your pasture,will give you thanks forever. We will praise you forever, to all generations.