Plea for Mercy for Jerusalem

A Psalm of Asaph.

1O God, the nations have come into your inheritance;

they have defiled your holy temple;

they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.

2They have given the bodies of your servants

to the birds of the air for food,

the flesh of your faithful to the wild animals of the earth.

3They have poured out their blood like water

all around Jerusalem,

and there was no one to bury them.

4We have become a taunt to our neighbours,

mocked and derided by those around us.

5How long, O LORD? Will you be angry for ever?

Will your jealous wrath burn like fire?

6Pour out your anger on the nations

that do not know you,

and on the kingdoms

that do not call on your name.

7For they have devoured Jacob

and laid waste his habitation.

8Do not remember against us the iniquities of our ancestors;

let your compassion come speedily to meet us,

for we are brought very low.

9Help us, O God of our salvation,

for the glory of your name;

deliver us, and forgive our sins,

for your name's sake.

10Why should the nations say,

‘Where is their God?’

Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants

be known among the nations before our eyes.

11Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;

according to your great power preserve those doomed to die.

12Return sevenfold into the bosom of our neighbours

the taunts with which they taunted you, O Lord!

13Then we your people, the flock of your pasture,

will give thanks to you for ever;

from generation to generation we will recount your praise.