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(A psalm by Asaph.)

Have Pity on Jerusalem

(A) Our God, foreign nations
    have taken your land,
    disgraced your temple,
    and left Jerusalem in ruins.
They have fed the bodies
of your servants
    to flesh-eating birds;
your loyal people are food
    for savage animals.
All Jerusalem is covered
    with their blood,
and there is no one left
    to bury them.
Every nation around us
    sneers and makes fun.

Our Lord, will you keep on
    being angry?
Will your angry feelings
    keep flaming up like fire?
Get angry with those nations
that don't know you
    and won't worship you!
They have gobbled up
Jacob's descendants
    and left the land in ruins.

(B) Don't make us pay for the sins
    of our ancestors.
Have pity and come quickly!
    We are completely helpless.
Our God, you keep us safe.
    Now help us! Rescue us.
Forgive our sins
    and bring honor to yourself.

10 Why should nations ask us,
    “Where is your God?”
Let us and the other nations
    see you take revenge
for your servants who died
    a violent death.

11 Listen to the prisoners groan!
Let your mighty power save all
    who are sentenced to die.
12 Each of those nations sneered
    at you, our Lord.
Now let others sneer at them,
    seven times as much.
13 Then we, your people,
    will always thank you.
We are like sheep
    with you as our shepherd,
and all generations
    will hear us praise you.

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