A one-minute narration sample. Every book in the library is narrated end to end — hear the rest in the app.
The Bible · 557 of 1189
Psalms 79
1.O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.
2.The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.
3.Their blood have they shed like 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, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
6.Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
7.For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
8.O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.
9.Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.
10.Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.
11.Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;
12.And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.
13.So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.
Asked of Guide
Why does the psalm keep begging God to punish the nations so fiercely?
The psalm frames violent plea as a defense of God’s honor: the nations have “defiled” the temple, left the dead unburied, and caused Israel to be a “reproach,” so the plea for wrath aims to vindicate God’s name and restore covenant standing. Verses 6–10 link punishment to reputation—“let him be known among the heathen”—so justice functions as public demonstration that God remains real and powerful.
The prayer ties communal suffering to corporate sin and mercy: verse 8 asks, “O remember not against us former iniquities,” then verse 9 seeks deliverance “for the glory of thy name,” combining confession with petition. If you want a close reading of this posture within the Psalter, see Psalm 79 alongside Psalm 109, where imprecatory language also demands vindication of God and protection for the oppressed.
Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.