1 O god, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.
2 The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.
3 Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.
4 We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.
5 How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.
10 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.
11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;
12 And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.
13 So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.
Psalm 79 is a lament psalm composed by Asaph, a prominent Levite musician, during a time of national calamity. The psalm is a plea to God amid a crisis, specifically the destruction of Jerusalem and the desecration of the temple by foreign invaders. This Psalm not only expresses the sorrow and despair of the Israelites, but also their hope and faith in God's mercy and deliverance.
The psalm can be divided into three main sections: the lament over the desolation of Jerusalem (verses 1-4), the request for God’s intervention (verses 5-12), and the vow of praise and thanks (verses 13).
In the opening verses of Psalm 79, Asaph describes the gruesome scene of Jerusalem's destruction. The city is in ruins, the temple is defiled, and the bodies of God's servants are left unburied. The Israelites have become an object of scorn to their neighbors. This description serves as a vivid reminder of the dire consequences of turning away from God, highlighting the theme of divine retribution. However, it also sets the stage for the plea for divine intervention that follows.
From verses 5 to 12, Asaph appeals to God's mercy and justice. He acknowledges that the Israelites are suffering due to their own sins and the sins of their ancestors. However, he pleads with God to not keep His anger forever and to show mercy. Asaph calls upon God to avenge the blood of His servants, thereby invoking God's justice. This section of the psalm demonstrates the theme of repentance and God's mercy. It is a reminder that even in the midst of suffering and punishment, God's people can still turn to Him for mercy and deliverance.
In the final verses of the psalm, Asaph makes a vow to praise and thank God once He delivers His people. This shifts the mood of the psalm from one of despair to one of hope and faith. Despite the current circumstances, Asaph is confident that God will intervene and restore His people. This section of the psalm emphasizes the theme of divine deliverance and the power of faith.
Psalm 79 is a powerful testament to the enduring faith of God's people, even in the face of dire circumstances. It reminds us of the consequences of turning away from God, but also of His infinite mercy and readiness to forgive. The psalm teaches that repentance and faith are the paths to divine intervention and deliverance.
At its core, Psalm 79 is a prayer for mercy, justice, and deliverance. It is a plea for God to intervene in the midst of suffering, to avenge the wrongs done to His people, and to restore them to their former glory. It is a call for God to remember His covenant with His people and to show them mercy, despite their sins.
In the face of despair and suffering, Psalm 79 teaches us to turn to God, to confess our sins and seek His mercy, and to trust in His justice and deliverance. It is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, God is still with us, ready to hear our prayers and deliver us from our troubles.
In conclusion, Psalm 79 is a powerful testament to the enduring faith of God's people, even in the face of dire circumstances. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, but also of His infinite mercy and readiness to forgive. The psalm teaches us that repentance and faith are the paths to divine intervention and deliverance. It is a prayer for mercy, justice, and deliverance that continues to resonate with believers today.
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