A Psalm of Asaph

“God, the nations have invaded Your inheritance;
They have defiled Your holy temple;
They have laid Jerusalem in ruins.
They have given the dead bodies of Your servants
As food for the birds of the sky,
The flesh of Your godly ones to the animals of the earth.
They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem,
And there was no one to bury them.”

“We have become a disgrace before our neighbors,
An object of derision and ridicule to those around us.
How long, Lord? Will You be angry forever?
Will Your jealousy burn like fire?”

A Plea for Justice and Mercy

“Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You,
And on the kingdoms that do not call upon Your name.
For they have devoured Jacob
And laid waste his settlement.”

“Do not hold us responsible for the guilty deeds of our forefathers;
Let Your compassion come quickly to meet us,
For we have become very low.
Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name;
And save us and forgive our sins for the sake of Your name.”

A Cry for Vindication and Deliverance

“Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’
Let vengeance for the blood of Your servants which has been shed
Be known among the nations in our sight.
Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You;
According to the greatness of Your power, let those who are doomed to die remain.”

“Pay back our neighbors seven times as much into their lap
For the taunts with which they have taunted You, Lord.
So we Your people and the sheep of Your pasture
Will give thanks to You forever;
To all generations we will tell of Your praise.”

Context and Meaning

Psalm 79 is a national lament, likely written after the destruction of Jerusalem—either by the Babylonians or reflecting similar devastation. It is a cry of sorrow, anger, and desperation, expressing grief over profaned worship, mass death, and national shame, while pleading with God for mercy and justice.

Key Themes:

1. A Defiled Inheritance: The Temple and city are desecrated, and God’s people suffer violent loss (v. 1–3).
2. Public Shame and Divine Silence: The enemies mock God, while His people suffer disgrace (v. 4–5).
3. A Plea for Mercy and Justice: The psalmist calls for God’s wrath on the wicked, not on His covenant people (v. 6–9).
4. Appeal to God’s Name: Forgiveness is requested not based on merit, but for the glory of God’s name (v. 9).
5. Hope in Worshipful Response: The people promise to praise God forever, even in the midst of judgment (v. 13).

Psalm 79 combines pain, petition, and praise—a pattern of trust in the face of trauma.

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 79 offers a model for how to pray in seasons of national tragedy, communal guilt, or deep grief:

• God’s People Can Be Honest: This psalm shows that worship includes lament, anger, and longing (Job 3:11; Lamentations 1).
• Mercy Can Be Pleaded For: Even in judgment, God’s compassion can still be sought and trusted (Micah 7:18).
• God’s Name Is Our Hope: Forgiveness and help come not because of us, but because of who He is (Ezekiel 36:22–23).
• Lament Leads to Worship: Even in despair, we look forward to future praise—faith doesn’t stop at the ashes (Isaiah 61:3).

Application

• Bring National Pain Before God: Pray for mercy and justice over your nation’s sin and suffering.
• Ask God to Vindicate His Name: Let your prayers aim toward His glory, not just your comfort.
• Confess the Sins of the Past: Stand in the gap like the psalmist—acknowledge corporate guilt with humility (Daniel 9:4–19).
• Praise Through the Process: Commit to worship, even when deliverance has not yet come.

Closing Thought

Psalm 79 reminds us that even amid devastation, we are still God’s sheep.
“So we Your people and the sheep of Your pasture will give thanks to You forever.”