[1] A Psalm. Of Asaph. O God, the nations have come into your heritage;
they have made your holy Temple unclean; they have made Jerusalem a mass of
broken walls. [2] They have given the bodies of your servants as food to
the birds of the air, and the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the
earth. [3] Their blood has been flowing like water round about Jerusalem;
there was no one to put them in their last resting-place. [4] We are looked
down on by our neighbours, we are laughed at and made sport of by those who
are round us. [5] How long, O Lord? will you be angry for ever? will your
wrath go on burning like fire? [6] Let your wrath be on the nations who
have no knowledge of you, and on the kingdoms who have not made prayer to
your name. [7] For they have taken Jacob for their meat, and made waste his
house. [8] Do not keep in mind against us the sins of our fathers; let your
mercy come to us quickly, for we have been made very low. [9] Give us help,
O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; take us out of danger
and give us forgiveness for our sins, because of your name. [10] Why may
the nations say, Where is their God? Let payment for the blood of your
servants be made openly among the nations before our eyes. [11] Let the cry
of the prisoner come before you; with your strong arm make free the
children of death; [12] And give punishment seven times over into the
breast of our neighbours for the bitter words which they have said against
you, O Lord. [13] So we your people, and the sheep of your flock, will give
you glory for ever: we will go on praising you through all generations.
