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79 Unto the end, for them that shall he changed, a testimony for Asaph, a psalm.

Give ear, O thou that rulest Israel: thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. Thou that sittest upon the cherubims, shine forth

Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses. Stir up thy might, and come to save us.

Convert us, O God: and shew us thy face, and we shall be saved.

O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy servant?

How long wilt thou feed us with the bread of tears: and give us for our drink tears in measure?

Thou hast made us to be a contradiction to our neighbours: and our enemies have scoffed at us.

O God of hosts, convert us: and shew thy face, and we shall be saved.

Thou hast brought a vineyard out of Egypt: thou hast cast cut the Gentiles and planted it.

10 Thou wast the guide of its journey in its sight: thou plantedst the roots thereof, and it filled the land.

11 The shadow of it covered the hills: and the branches thereof the cedars of God.

12 It stretched forth its branches unto the sea, and its boughs unto the river.

13 Why hast thou broken down the hedge thereof, so that all they who pass by the way do pluck it?

14 The boar out of the wood hath laid it waste: and a singular wild beast hath devoured it.

15 Turn again, O God of hosts, look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vineyard:

16 And perfect the same which thy right hand hath planted: and upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.

17 Things set on fire and dug down shall perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.

18 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand: and upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.

19 And we depart not from thee, thou shalt quicken us: and we will call upon thy name.

20 O Lord God of hosts, convert us: and shew thy face, and we shall be saved.

Psalm 79

A psalm of Asaph.

O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;(A)
    they have defiled(B) your holy temple,
    they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.(C)
They have left the dead bodies of your servants
    as food for the birds of the sky,(D)
    the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.(E)
They have poured out blood like water
    all around Jerusalem,
    and there is no one to bury(F) the dead.(G)
We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,
    of scorn(H) and derision to those around us.(I)

How long,(J) Lord? Will you be angry(K) forever?
    How long will your jealousy burn like fire?(L)
Pour out your wrath(M) on the nations
    that do not acknowledge(N) you,
on the kingdoms
    that do not call on your name;(O)
for they have devoured(P) Jacob
    and devastated his homeland.

Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;(Q)
    may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
    for we are in desperate need.(R)
Help us,(S) God our Savior,
    for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
    for your name’s sake.(T)
10 Why should the nations say,
    “Where is their God?”(U)

Before our eyes, make known among the nations
    that you avenge(V) the outpoured blood(W) of your servants.
11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you;
    with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.
12 Pay back into the laps(X) of our neighbors seven times(Y)
    the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.
13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,(Z)
    will praise you forever;(AA)
from generation to generation
    we will proclaim your praise.