Psalm 79

Common Metre (8,6,8,6)

Suggested Tunes:

(vv.1-8) 86 Martyrs, 48 Cunningham

(vv.9-13) 116 St Kilda, 63 Free Church

1    O God, the heathen enter’d have

            thine heritage; by them

      Defiled is thy house: on heaps

            they laid Jerusalem.

2    The bodies of thy servants they

            have cast forth to be meat

      To rav’nous fowls; thy dear saints’ flesh

            they gave to beasts to eat.

3    Their blood about Jerusalem

            like water they have shed;

      And there was none to bury them

            when they were slain and dead.

4    Unto our neighbours a reproach

            most base become are we;

      A scorn and laughingstock to them

            that round about us be.

5    How long, Lord, shall thine anger last?

            wilt thou still keep the same?

      And shall thy fervent jealousy

            burn like unto a flame?

6    On heathen pour thy fury forth,

            that have thee never known,

      And on those kingdoms which thy name

            have never call’d upon.

7    For these are they who Jacob have

            devoured cruelly;

      And they his habitation

            have caused waste to lie.

8    Against us mind not former sins;

            thy tender mercies show;

      Let them prevent us speedily,

            for we’re brought very low.

9    For thy name’s glory help us, Lord,

            who hast our Saviour been:

      Deliver us; for thy name’s sake,

            O purge away our sin.

10  Why say the heathen, Where’s their God?

            let him to them be known;

      When those who shed thy servants’ blood

            are in our sight o’erthrown.

11  O let the pris’ner’s sighs ascend

            before thy sight on high;

      Preserve those in thy mighty pow’r

            that are design’d to die.

12  And to our neighbours’ bosom cause

            it sev’n-fold render’d be,

      Ev’n the reproach wherewith they have,

            O Lord, reproached thee.

13  So we thy folk, and pasture-sheep,

            shall give thee thanks always;

      And unto generations all

            we will shew forth thy praise.