1O God, the nations are come into thine inheritance ; Thy holy temple have they defiled ; They have laid Jerusalem in heaps . 2The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be food unto the birds of the heavens , The flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth . 3Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem ; And there was none to bury them . 4We are become a reproach to our neighbors , A scoffing and derision to them that are round about us .
A Plea for Divine Intervention
5How long , O Jehovah ? wilt thou be angry for ever ? Shall thy jealousy burn like fire? 6Pour out thy wrath upon the nations that know thee not , And upon the kingdoms that call not upon thy name . 7For they have devoured Jacob , And laid waste his habitation . 8Remember not against us the iniquities of our forefathers : Let thy tender mercies speedily meet us ; For we are brought very low .
Call for Justice and Restoration
9Help us , O God of our salvation , for the glory of thy name ; And deliver us , and forgive our sins , for thy name ’s sake . 10Wherefore should the nations say, Where is their God? Let the avenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed Be known among the nations in our sight . 11Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee : According to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to death ; 12And render unto our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom Their reproach , wherewith they have reproached thee , O Lord.
Hope for Deliverance
13So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture Will give thee thanks for ever : We will show forth thy praise to all generations .