Comment – Psalm 79 was written after the destruction of Jerusalem, the author describes a devastated Palestine remained semi-deserted and devastated by rival gangs. The prisoners enslaved near Babylon and the neighboring peoples are remembered, as well as the desecration of the temple and the human massacres carried out, with corpses left without burial, prey to birds of prey and wild beasts. Israle is going through a great period of very painful humiliation, the psalmist says that all this happens following the offense against God with the temptation represented by idols.
Psalm 79 complete
[1] Psalm. Asaph O God, the nations entered your inheritance, they profaned your holy temple, they reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
[2] They have abandoned the corpses of your servants as a meal to the birds of heaven, the flesh of your faithful to wild animals.
[3] They shed their blood like water around Jerusalem, and no one buried it.
[4] We have become the opprobrium of our neighbors, mockery and joy of those around us.
[5] How long, Lord, will you be angry: forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?
[6] Pour out your indignation on the peoples who do not recognize you and on the kingdoms which do not invoke your name,
[7] because they devoured Jacob, they devastated his home.
[8] Do not blame the sins of our fathers on us, may your mercy come to us soon, for we are too unhappy.
[9] Help us, God, our salvation, for the glory of your name, save us and forgive our sins for the sake of your name.
[10] Why should people say: "Where is their God?" Before our eyes let revenge be known among the peoples for the blood of your servants.
Recommended readings- Psalm 76: complete, commentary
- Psalm 62: complete, commentary
- Psalm 102: complete, commentary
- Psalm 6: complete, commentary
- Psalm 20: complete, commentary
[11] The wail of prisoners may come to you; with the power of your hand save the vowed to death.
[12] Return the affront with which they insulted you, Lord, seven times to our neighbors.
[13] And we, your people and the flock of your pasture, will give you thanks forever; from age to age we will proclaim your praise.
