1 A psalm of Asaf: God, the pagans have
entered your heritage. They have defiled your holy temple and turned
Yerushalayim into rubble.
2 They have given the corpses of your
servants as food for the birds in the air, yes, the flesh of those faithful to
you for the wild animals of the earth.
3 All around Yerushalayim they have
shed their blood like water, and no one is left to bury them.
4 We suffer the taunts of our
neighbors, we are mocked and scorned by those around us.
5 How long, ADONAI? Will you be angry
forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations
that don't know you, on the kingdoms that don't call out your name;
7 for they have devoured Ya'akov and
left his home a waste.
8 Don't count past iniquities against
us, but let your compassion come quickly to meet us, for we have been brought
very low.
9 Help us, God of our salvation, for
the sake of the glory of your name. Deliver us, forgive our sins, for your
name's sake.
10 Why should the nations ask,
"Where is their God?" Let the vengeance taken on your servants' shed
blood be known among the nations before our eyes.
11 Let the groaning of the captives
come before you; by your great strength save those condemned to death.
12 Repay our neighbors sevenfold where
they can feel it for the insults they inflicted on you, Adonai.
13 Then we, your people and the flock
in your pasture, will give you thanks forever. From generation to generation
we will proclaim your praise.
