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1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants
as food for the birds of the air,
the flesh of your saints for the beasts of the earth.
3 They have poured out blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there is no one to bury the dead.
4 We are objects of reproach to our neighbours,
of scorn and derision to those around us.
5 How long, LORD? Will you be angry for ever?
How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations
that do not acknowledge you,
on the kingdoms
that do not call on your name;
7 for they have devoured Jacob
and destroyed his homeland.
8 Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
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9 Help us, O God our Saviour,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name’s sake.
10 Why should the nations say,
‘Where is their God?’
Before our eyes, make known among the nations
that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.
11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you;
by the strength of your arm preserve those condemned to die.
12 Pay back into the laps of our neighbours seven times
the reproach they have hurled at you, O Lord.
13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you for ever;
from generation to generation
we will recount your praise.
(NIV)
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Psalm 79: This is a cry from the people for the destruction and the death of their people in Jerusalem. When Babylon defeated them in 586BC see 2Kings 25:8. It is an urgent prayer to God for His help. It was shameful for them to have their people’s dead bodies left in the ruins. The people are calling out to God to forgive them and help them defeat their enemies.
I wonder are their times when we drift away from God, or do we take God for granted and expect Him to be at our beck and call,
This psalm is a reminder of who God is, and have we given Him the respect and attention we should.
I wonder have there been days when we have not even praised God for a new day He has given us.
or appreciation God for all that He has done for us?
Perhaps we need to spend more time in God’s company, and thank Him for all that He has done for us, for all we have been given, and the homes we live in.
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