Psalm 79 is a cry of anguish,
A song of deep lament,
Sung by Asap as he beheld the desecration of Jerusalem and the suffering of God's people.
The vivid imagery of destruction and sorrow reflects the raw experience of devastation,
Both in the physical realm and in the spiritual lives of those who feel disconnected from peace and hope.
Despite the Psalmist's desperate outpouring,
This passage holds profound relevance for modern readers as it mirrors the times when we too experience loss,
Confusion and the need for divine intervention.
In our brokenness and chaos,
This ancient cry serves as a guiding light,
Reminding us of the healing and renewal that come from turning to God.
Let us now explore Psalm 79,
Allowing the Psalm to speak deeply to our hearts and invite us to a sacred space of reflection and comfort.
Psalm 79 O God,
The nations have come into your inheritance.
Your holy temple they have defiled.
They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.
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.
Their blood they have shed like water all around Jerusalem,
And there was no one to bury them.
We have become a reproach to our neighbours,
A scorn and derision to those who are around us.
How long,
Lord,
Will you be angry forever?
Will your jealousy burn like fire?
Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you,
And on the kingdoms that do not call on your name.
For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his dwelling place.
O do not remember former iniquities against us.
Let your tender mercies come speedily to meet us,
For we have been brought very low.
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.
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.
Let the groaning of the prisoner come before you according to the greatness of your power.
Serve those who are appointed to die,
And return to our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom,
Their reproach with which they have reproached you,
O Lord.
So we,
Your people,
And sheep of your pasture,
Will give you thanks forever.
We will show forth your praise to all generations.
The nations have come into your inheritance.
Your holy temple they have defiled.
They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.
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.
Their blood they have shed like water all around Jerusalem,
And there was no one to bury them.
We have become a reproach to our neighbours,
A scorn and derision to those who are around us.
These verses open with a scene of devastation.
The psalmist's description of Jerusalem laid waste and the people humiliated draws us into the collective grief of a community that has lost everything.
How often do we experience our own Jerusalem laid in ruins?
Our hopes dashed,
Our dreams shattered,
Our lives defiled by forces beyond our control.
We may not face literal destruction,
But our spirits can feel abandoned,
Overwhelmed by despair.
In these moments,
Our pain cries out for acknowledgement,
Our grief,
Like Asap's,
Seeks a sacred witness.
Consider the broken places in your own life.
Perhaps it is a season of grief,
A shattered relationship,
Or an inner sense of lost purpose.
Can you hold these sorrows up to the light,
Naming them with honesty?
Just as Asap lays bare the suffering of his people,
We too are invited to bring our brokenness to God,
Trusting that He sees,
Hears,
And feels our pain.
Verses 5-7 How long,
Lord?
Will you be angry forever?
Will your jealousy burn like fire?
Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you,
And on the kingdoms that do not call on your name.
For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his dwelling place.
The question,
How long,
Lord,
Echoes from the depths of a heart weary of waiting.
It is a cry that many of us have uttered when life's trials seem never-ending,
When God's presence feels hidden.
The Psalmist's desperate call for divine action reminds us that it is human to long for rescue,
To yearn for justice when we witness suffering and evil.
Reflect on moments when you have felt abandoned,
When God seemed distant.
How did it feel to question,
How long?
Yet,
Even in the questioning there lies a seed of faith.
So in asking God how long,
We acknowledge His ultimate power to intervene.
Let these words remind you that it is okay to long for change and to wrestle with God,
Even as you trust that His timing and purposes remain sovereign.
Verses 8-9 O do not remember former iniquities against us.
Let your tender mercies come speedily to meet us,
For we have been brought very low.
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.
The Psalmist shifts from a cry for justice to a plea for mercy.
He acknowledges the community's brokenness and sinfulness,
Seeking God's tender compassion.
This passage reminds us that even when we feel unworthy,
God's mercy is boundless.
When we are brought very low,
We can trust that God's salvation comes not because of our merit,
But for the glory of His name.
Contemplate the grace of God that meets us in our lowest moments.
Think about an area of your life where you need mercy.
Hold space for your imperfections and frailties,
Knowing that God's love is greater than any mistake or regret.
Ask for His healing presence to wash over you,
To bring atonement and restoration.
Verses 10-12 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.
Let the groaning of the prisoner come before you according to the greatness of your power.
Preserve those who are appointed to die,
And return to our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom,
Their reproach with which they have reproached you,
O Lord.
Here,
Asap calls on God to act decisively to make His power known.
He advocates for the oppressed and the wronged,
Asking that their cries be heard.
There is a holy boldness in seeking divine justice.
Yet,
There is also a quiet hope that God is still a God of deliverance,
Attentive to the groans of those in chains.
Think of injustices in the world or perhaps closer to home,
Injustices that have touched your own life.
Bring these to God in prayer,
Trusting that He is attentive to the cries of the afflicted.
Remember that God's justice is both perfect and compassionate.
As you pray for the oppressed,
Let hope infuse your soul,
Knowing that God's power is sufficient to set captives free.
Verse 13 So we,
Your people and sheep of your pasture,
Will give you thanks forever.
We will show forth your praise to all generations.
Despite the darkness and suffering described earlier,
The psalm concludes with a promise of gratitude.
The people of God,
Though wounded,
Affirm their identity as His beloved sheep.
They commit to eternal thanksgiving,
To proclaiming His praise to future generations.
This final verse is a testament to the unbreakable bond between God and His people,
A declaration of trust that God's goodness will prevail.
What does it mean for you to be a sheep in God's pasture,
To belong to Him in safety and love?
Take a moment to let gratitude rise in your heart,
Even if your circumstances have not yet changed.
Can you commit to living a life of praise,
Trusting that your testimony of faith will inspire others?
A prayer O God of our salvation,
We come before you carrying the weight of our sorrows and the brokenness of this world.
We cry out for your mercy and healing.
When we feel abandoned,
Be our comforter.
When injustice overwhelms us,
Be our deliverer.
Help us to remember that your love is unfailing,
That your power is mighty to save.
Even in our lowest moments,
Teach us to give you thanks and let our lives be a testament to your grace.
Guide us,
Shepherd of our souls,
And fill us with hope and peace,
Now and always.
Amen.
