C N 1-3. Complaint.
O 4. Our neighbors. Reproach.
P r 5. Question.
s 6,7. Prayer against nations.
t 8,9. Prayer for selves.
P r 10-. Question.
s -10. Prayer against nations.
t 11. Prayer for selves.
O 12. Our neighbors. Reproach.
N 13. Praise.
Psalm 79)
1 O God, the nations are come into Your inheritance;
Your holy temple (see 1 Kings 14:25,26. 2 Chron. 12:2-10. Pillaged, but not destroyed) have they defiled;
They have laid Jerusalem in ruins. (Cp. the prophecy in Mal. 3:12.)
2 The dead bodies of Your servants have they given to be meat to the fowls of the heaven,
The flesh of Your men Your loving-kindness (or gracious ones, or beloved) to the beasts of the earth.
3 Their blood have they poured out like water round about Jerusalem;
And there was none to bury them.
4 We are become a reproach to our neighbors,
A scorn and derision to them that are round about us.
5 How long, LORD? will You be angry for ever?
Shall Your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out Your wrath upon the nations that have not known You, (Cp. Jer. 10;25.)
And upon the kingdoms that have not called upon Your name.
7 For they have devoured Jacob, (Put for the riches of his descendants.)
And laid waste his dwelling place.
8 O remember not against us former iniquities:
Let Your tender mercies speedily come to meet us:
For we are brought very low.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name:
And deliver us, and cover (or atone for. See Ex. 29:33) our sins, for Your own sake.
10 Wherefore should the heathen say, "Where is their God?"
Let Him be known among the heathen in our sight
[Let] the revenging of the blood of Your servants which is shed [be known].
11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before You;
According to the greatness of Your power (Heb. Your arm, put for the power contained in and put forth by it. An "arm" attributed to God) preserve You son of death; (Cp. Rom. 8:36.)
12 And render to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach,
Wherewith they have reproached You, O Lord.
13 So we Your people and sheep of Your pasture
Will give You thanks for ever:
We will shew forth Your praise to all generations.
(Num. 9:5-14. Cp. 2 Chron. 29:25-35; 30:23])