They Have Laid Jerusalem in Heaps

Here is a grim description of the situation in Israel. It seems like Jerusalem and the Temple has been overrun by invaders. The holy city seems to be in ruins and the Temple defiled. The inhabitants have been slaughtered throughout the city.

It seems like God is angry at Israel. The psalmist asks how long before God would interfere. How long before God would stop the heathens from laying waste God's land and His people.

The psalmist calls for God's help, appealing to His tender mercies, salvation, His name, atonement. He appeals to God to forget their iniquities, that they are already at a very low level. He urges God to avenge on their behalf so the nations may know who God is.



Psalm 79

A Psalm of Asaph.

 1 O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance;
         Your holy temple they have defiled;
         They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.
 2 The dead bodies of Your servants
         They have given as food for the birds of the heavens,
         The flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.
 3 Their blood they have shed like water all around Jerusalem,
         And there was no one to bury them.
 4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors,
         A scorn and derision to those who are around us.
       
 5 How long, LORD?
         Will You be angry forever?
         Will Your jealousy burn like fire?
 6 Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You,
         And on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name.
 7 For they have devoured Jacob,
         And laid waste his dwelling place.
       
 8 Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us!
         Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us,
         For we have been brought very low.
 9 Help us, O God of our salvation,
         For the glory of Your name;
         And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins,
         For Your name’s sake!
 10 Why should the nations say,
         “Where is their God?”
         Let there be known among the nations in our sight
         The avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed.
       
 11 Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You;
         According to the greatness of Your power
         Preserve those who are appointed to die;
 12 And return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom
         Their reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord.
       
 13 So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture,
         Will give You thanks forever;
         We will show forth Your praise to all generations.