One of Asaph's songs of praise.
<1> God, some people from other nations came to fight your people.
They ruined your holy Temple.[451]
They left Jerusalem in ruins.
<2> The enemy left the bodies of your servants
for the wild birds to eat.
They left the bodies of your followers
for wild animals to eat.
<3> God, the enemy killed your people
until the blood flowed like water.
No one is left to bury the dead bodies.
<4> The countries around us insult us.
The people around us laugh at us and make fun of us.
<5> Lord, will you be angry with us forever?
Will your strong feelings[452] continue to burn like a fire?
<6> Turn your anger against the nations
that do not know you,
that do not honor you as God.
<7> Those nations killed Jacob's[453] family
and destroyed their land.
<8> Please don't punish us for the sins of our ancestors.[454]
Hurry, show us your mercy!
We need you so much!
<9> Our God and Savior, help us!
Help us! Save us!
That will bring glory to your name.
Erase our sins for the good of your name.
<10> Don't let other nations say to us:
"Where is your God?
Can't he help you?"
Punish those people so we can see it.
Punish them for killing your servants.
<11> Listen to the sad moans of the prisoners!
Use your great power to free those who are sentenced to die.
<12> Punish the nations around us!
Pay them back seven times for what they did to us.
Punish them for insulting you.
<13> We are your people, the sheep of your flock.
We will praise you forever.
We will praise you forever and ever!
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.