Tehillim 79 - Chapter 79 - Psalm 79

Mizmor leassaf, Elohim báu goyim benachalatêcha, timeú et hechal codshêcha, sámu et Ierushaláyim leiyim
Natenu et nivlat avadêcha maachal leof hashamaáyim, bessar chassidêcha lechaito árets
Shafechú damam camáyim, sevivot Ierushaláyim veen cover
Hayínu cherpá lish’chenênu, láag vakéles lisvivotênu
Ad ma Adonai teenaf lanétsach, tiv’ar kemo esh kin’atêcha
Shefoch chamatechá el hagoyim asher lo iedaúcha, veal mamlachot asher beshimchá lo caráu
Ki achal et Iaacov, veet navêhu heshámu
Al tizcor lánu avonot rishonim, maher iecademúnu rachamêcha, ki dalônu meod
Ozrênu Elohê yish’enu al devar kevod shemêcha, vehatsilenu vechaper al chatotênu lemáan shemêcha
Láma iomeru hagoyim aiê Elohehem, yivada bagoyim leenênu nicmat dam avadêcha hashafuch
Tavo lefanêcha encat assir, kegódel zeroachá, hoter benê temuta
Vehashev lish’chenênu shiv’atáyim el checam, cherpatam asher cherefúcha Adonai
Vaanáchnu amechá vetson mar’itêcha nodê lechá leolam, ledor vador nessaper tehilatêcha

1. A Psalm of Asaph. O God, nations have come into your inheritance; your holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.
2. The dead bodies of your servants have they given to be food to the birds of the sky, the flesh of your pious ones to the beasts of the earth.
3. Their blood have they shed like water around Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.
4. We have become a taunt to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those who are around us.
5. How long, Lord? Will you be angry for ever? Shall your jealousy burn like fire?.
6. Pour out your wrath on the nations that have not known you, and on the kingdoms that have not called upon your name.
7. For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
8. O do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your tender mercies speedily come to meet us; for we are brought very low.
9. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; and save us, and forgive our sins, for your name’s sake.
10. Why should the nations say, Where is their God? let the revenging of the blood of your servants which is shed be made manifest among the nations, and before our eyes.
11. Let the groans of the prisoner come before you; according to the greatness of your power preserve those who are appointed to die;.
12. And render to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their insult, with which they have insulted you, O Lord.
13. So we your people and sheep of your pasture will give you thanks for ever; we will tell your praise to all generations.

For the destruction of the enemies of our people

In this psalm, Asaph thanks God for sparing the people and directing His wrath upon the wood and stones (of the Temple). Still he cries bitterly, mourning the immense destruction: The place where the High Priest alone was allowed to enter-and only on Yom Kippur-is now so desolate that foxes stroll through it!