How Long, O Lord?

(Psalm 74:1-23; Jeremiah 52:1-11)

1A 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.

2They 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.

3They have poured out their blood as water, round about Jerusalem and there was none to bury them.

4We are become a reproach to our neighbours: a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

5How long, O Lord, wilt thou be angry for ever: shall thy zeal be kindled like a fire?

6Pour out thy wrath upon the nations that have not known thee: and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

7Because they have devoured Jacob; and have laid waste his place.

8Remember not our former iniquities: let thy mercies speedily prevent us, for we are become exceeding poor.

9Help 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:

10Lest 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:

11let 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.

12And render to our neighbours sevenfold in their bosom: the reproach wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

13But 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.