PSALMS - Chapter 79
A Psalm Asaph
O Elohim, the nations have come into your inheritance; your holy temple they have defiled; they have laid Jerusalem in heaps. The dead bodies of your servants—they have given as food for the birds of the heavens, the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth. Their blood they have like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them.
We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those who are around us. How long, YAHWEH? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?
Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call on your name. For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, for we have been brought very low. Help us, O Elohim of our salvation, for the glory of your name; and deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, for your name's sake!
Why should the nations say, "Where is their Elohim?" Let there be known among the nations in our sight the avenging of the blood of your servants which has been shed. Let the groaning of the prisoner come before you; according to the greatness of your power preserve those who are appointed to die; and return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach with which they have reproached you, O Master. So we, your people and sheep of your pasture, will give you thanks forever; we will show forth your praise to all generations.
Chapter 80
A Testimony of Asaph
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth! Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up your strength, and come and save us! Restore us, O Elohim; cause your face to shine, and we shall be saved!
O YAHWEH Elohim of hosts, how long will you be angry against the prayer of your people? You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in great measure. You have made us a strife to our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves. Restore us, O Elohim of hosts; cause your face to shine, and we shall be saved!
You have brought a vine out of Egypt; you have cast out the nations, and planted it. You prepared room for it, and caused it to take deep root, and it filled the land. The hills were covered with its shadow, and the mighty cedars with its boughs. She sent out her boughs to the Sea, and her branches to the River. Why have you broken down her hedges, so that all who pass by the way pluck her fruit? The boar out of the woods uproots it, and the wild beast of the field devours it. Return, we beseech you, O Elohim of hosts; look down from heaven and see, and visit this vine and the vineyard which your right hand has planted, and the branch that you made strong for yourself.
It is burned with fire, it is cut down; they perish at the rebuke of your countenance. Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, upon the son of man whom you made strong for yourself. Then we will not turn back from you; revive us, and we will call upon your name. Restore us, O YAHWEH Elohim of hosts; cause your face to shine, and we shall be saved!
AN ADDED TREAT!
Thank you to James Block for permission to use his music! Click here for his website!
HalleluYah!