Psalm 79

A Psalm of Asaph.

 A communal lament over the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem.

Psa 79:1   O God, the nations have come into your inheritance;

they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.

Psa 79:2  They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the air for food,

the flesh of your faithful to the wild animals of the earth.

Psa 79:3  They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem,

and there was no one to bury them.

Psa 79:4  We have become a taunt to our neighbors,

mocked and derided by those around us.

Psa 79:5  How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever?

Will your jealous wrath burn like fire?

Psa 79:6  Pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you,

 and on the kingdoms that do not call on your name.

Psa 79:7  For they have devoured Jacob

and laid waste his habitation.

Psa 79:8  Do not remember against us the iniquities of our ancestors;

let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low.

Psa 79:9  Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name;

 deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name's sake.

Ordinary 25 / Pentecost +18

47 Wise Stewards

The Scripture passage for the day is drawn from Reuben Job and Norman Shawchuck, A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and other Servants, (Nashville, The Upper Room 1983), 287.
This reflection is from my own devotional exercises for the day.