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Psalms / Chapter 79
A communal lament recounts Jerusalem’s invasion and defilement, then turns the catastrophe into urgent prayer. It appeals to God’s name, asks for judgment on the attackers, seeks mercy for the people, and ends with vowed praise.
God, the nations have come into your inheritance. They have defiled your holy temple. They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.
They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food for the birds of the sky, The flesh of your saints to the animals of the earth.
Their blood they have shed like water around Jerusalem. There was no one to bury them.
We have become a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing 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 don`t know you; On the kingdoms that don`t call on your names;
For they have devoured Jacob, And destroyed his homeland.
Don`t hold the iniquities of our forefathers against us. Let your tender mercies speedily meet us, For we are in desperate need.
Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of your name. Deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name`s sake.
Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Let it be known among the nations, before our eyes, That vengeance for your servants` blood is being poured out.
Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you. According to the greatness of your power, preserve those who are sentenced to death;
Pay back to our neighbors seven times into their bosom Their reproach with which they have reproached you, Lord.
So we, your people and sheep of your pasture, Will give you thanks forever. We will praise you forever, to all generations. Psalm 80 For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "The Lilies of the Covenant." A Psalm by Asaph.
Psalms journey · Psalms 79
Full passage context
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Prayer, lament, praise, kingship, and hope teach God's people to sing truthfully.
Movement
Worship across the whole story
Artifact
Prayer book of the covenant people
Biblical Timeline
Kingdom
Psalms context: 1000 BC - 586 BC
Psalms context
Kingdom / 1000 BC - 586 BC
Psalms context is set in the kingdom period, where Israel's monarchy from David and Solomon to exile.
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Context snapshot
Date
Collected across Israel's worship life, c. 1000-450 BC
Genre
Poetry, prayer, and praise
Setting
Israel/Judah worship tradition
Audience
Israel
World Stage
Davidic and temple worship leaders collection over centuries
Psalms gathers prayers and songs from royal, temple, crisis, exile, and restoration settings. Its world is Israel's worship life across generations, bringing covenant memory into praise, lament, confession, and hope.
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