Psalm 78 – Deus, venerunt gentes

The church in time of persecution prayeth for relief. It seems to belong to the time of the Machabees.

[1] A psalm for Asaph. O God, the heathens are come into thy inheritance, they have defiled thy holy temple: they have made Jerusalem as a place to keep fruit. [2] They have given the dead bodies of thy servants to be meat for the fowls of the air: the flesh of thy saints for the beasts of the earth. [3] They have poured out their blood as water, round about Jerusalem and there was none to bury them. [4] We are become a reproach to our neighbours: a scorn and derision to them that are round about us. [5] How long, O Lord, wilt thou be angry for ever: shall thy zeal be kindled like a fire?

[6] Pour out thy wrath upon the nations that have not known thee: and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name. [7] Because they have devoured Jacob; and have laid waste his place. [8] Remember not our former iniquities: let thy mercies speedily prevent us, for we are become exceeding poor. [9] Help us, O God, our saviour: and for the glory of thy name, O Lord, deliver us: and forgive us our sins for thy name’s sake: [10] Lest they should say among the Gentiles: Where is their God? And let him be made known among the nations before our eyes, By the revenging the blood of thy servants, which hath been shed:

[11] Let the sighing of the prisoners come in before thee. According to the greatness of thy arm, take possession of the children of them that have been put to death. [12] And render to our neighbours sevenfold in their bosom: the reproach wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord. [13] But we thy people, and the sheep of thy pasture, will give thanks to thee for ever. We will shew forth thy praise, unto generation and generation.

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