Chapter: Psalm 79

Laments

More than 1/3 of the Psalms fall into the category of complaints to God in situations of limitation or threat. These laments were a form of prayer and praise based on the conviction that God is concerned about people and answers the human cry in ways surpassing human expectation or understanding. Israel’s laments out of distress were a way of praising God even when he seemed absent. The faith of the psalmists is founded on the good news that God intervenes in desperate situations to help those who are distressed. The psalmists share a deep confidence that God is compassionate, concerned, hearing his people and involved with them; God is faithful and trustworthy. A lament is an outcry to God from a responsive heart. Laments came from individuals or from the community.

Examples: Psalms 3-5, 22, 27:7-14, 42, 51, 69, 90, 130, 137 and many others

79

Deus, venerunt

¹ O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; *

they have defiled your holy temple, and made Jerusalem a heap of stones.

² The dead bodies of your servants have they given to be meat for the birds of the air, *

and the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the land.

³ Their blood have they shed like water on every side of Jerusalem, *

and there was no one to bury them.

⁴ We have become a reproach to our enemies, *

an object of scorn and derision to those who are round about us.

⁵ O Lord, how long will you be angry? *

Shall your jealousy burn like fire for ever?

⁶ Pour out your indignation upon the nations that have not known you, *

and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon your Name.

⁷ For they have devoured Jacob *

and laid waste his dwelling place.

⁸ O remember not our past sins, but have mercy on us speedily, *

for we have come to great misery.

⁹ Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your Name; *

O deliver us and forgive our sins for your Name’s sake.

¹⁰ Why do the nations say, *

“Where now is their God?”

¹¹ O let the vengeance of your servants’”Šblood that is shed *

be known in our sight among the nations.

¹² O let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoners come before you; *

according to the greatness of your power, preserve those who are condemned to die.

¹³ As for the blasphemy by which our neighbors have blasphemed you, *

repay them, O Lord, seven-fold into their bosoms.

¹⁴ So we, who are your people and the sheep of your pasture, shall give you thanks for ever, *

and will always be showing forth your praise from generation to generation.