A Psalm of Asaph.
A Prayer for Deliverance
Psalm 74:1–23; Jeremiah 52:1–11
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.+ 3Their blood they have shed 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, Yahweh? 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 bosom their 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.+