79:1   O God, the heathen have invaded your land. They have desecrated your holy Temple and left Jerusalem in ruins.

79:2   They left the bodies of your people for the vultures, the bodies of your servants for wild animals to eat.

79:3   They shed your people's blood like water; blood flowed like water all through Jerusalem, and no one was left to bury the dead.

79:4   The surrounding nations insult us; they laugh at us and mock us.

79:5   LORD, will you be angry with us forever? Will your anger continue to burn like fire?

79:6   Turn your anger on the nations that do not worship you, on the people who do not pray to you.

79:7   For they have killed your people; they have ruined your country.

79:8   Do not punish us for the sins of our ancestors. Have mercy on us now; we have lost all hope.

79:9   Help us, O God, and save us; rescue us and forgive our sins for the sake of your own honor.

79:10   Why should the nations ask us, "Where is your God?" Let us see you punish the nations for shedding the blood of your servants.

79:11   Listen to the groans of the prisoners, and by your great power free those who are condemned to die.

79:12   Lord, pay the other nations back seven times for all the insults they have hurled at you.

79:13   Then we, your people, the sheep of your flock, will thank you forever and praise you for all time to come.