Psalm 79 Poem by Justin Reamer

God, the pagans have invaded Your heritage,
they have desecrated Your holy Temple;
they have reduced Jerusalem to a pile of ruins,
they have left the corpses of Your servants
to the birds of the air for food,
and the flesh of Your devout to the beasts of the earth.

They have shed blood like water
throughout Jerusalem, not a gravedigger left!
we are now insulted by our neighbours,
butt and laughing-stock of all those around us.
How much longer will You be angry, Yahweh? For ever?
Is Your jealousy to go on smouldering like a fire?

Pour out Your anger on the pagans,
who do not acknowledge you,
and on those kingdoms
that do not call on Your Name,
for they have devoured Jacob
and reduced his home to desolation.

Do not hold our ancestors' crimes against us,
in tenderness quickly intervene,
we can hardly be crushed lower;
help us, God our saviour,
for the honour of Your Name;
Yahweh, blot out our sins,
rescue us for the sake of Your Name.

Why should the pagans ask, 'Where is their God? '
May we soon see the pagans learning what vengeance
You exact for Your servants' blood shed here!
May the groans of the captive reach You,
by Your mighty arm rescue those doomed to die!

Pay our neighbours sevenfold, strike to the heart
for the monstrous insult proffered to You, Lord!
And we Your people, the flock that You pasture,
giving You everlasting thanks,
will recite Your praises for ever and ever.