(A psalm by Asaph.)
Have Pity on Jerusalem
1 Our God, foreign nations
have taken your land,
disgraced your temple,
and left Jerusalem in ruins.
2They have fed the bodies
of your servants
to flesh-eating birds;
your loyal people are food
for savage animals.
3All Jerusalem is covered
with their blood,
and there is no one left
to bury them.
4Every nation around us
sneers and makes fun.
5Our Lord, will you keep on
being angry?
Will your angry feelings
keep flaming up like fire?
6Get angry with those nations
that don't know you
and won't worship you!
7They have gobbled up
Jacob's descendants
and left the land in ruins.
8 Don't make us pay for the sins
of our ancestors.
Have pity and come quickly!
We are completely helpless.
9Our God, you keep us safe.
Now help us! Rescue us.
Forgive our sins
and bring honor to yourself.
10Why should nations ask us,
“Where is your God?”
Let us and the other nations
see you take revenge
for your servants who died
a violent death.
11Listen to the prisoners groan!
Let your mighty power save all
who are sentenced to die.
12Each of those nations sneered
at you, our Lord.
Now let others sneer at them,
seven times as much.
13Then we, your people,
will always thank you.
We are like sheep
with you as our shepherd,
and all generations
will hear us praise you.