Psalm 79: A Cry for Help and Restoration

Psalm 79 is a poignant lament attributed to Asaph, reflecting on a period of profound crisis and suffering for the people of Israel. It is traditionally believed to have been composed during or after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, an event that led to immense devastation and exile for the Israelites. The psalm captures the agony, confusion, and desperation of a community facing utter ruin and seeking divine intervention and justice.

The Structure and Content of Psalm 79

The psalm can be divided into several distinct sections:

1.Verses 1-4: Description of the Destruction
•The psalm opens with a vivid description of the desolation wrought upon Jerusalem. The holy temple has been defiled, the city lies in ruins, and the bodies of the slain are left unburied, a symbol of utter disgrace and devastation.
•“O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble. They have left the dead bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.”
2.Verses 5-7: A Plea for God’s Anger to Cease
•The psalmist questions how long God’s anger will last and pleads for His wrath to be directed towards the nations responsible for the destruction, rather than continuing to burn against Israel.
•“How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name; for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland.”
3.Verses 8-9: Request for Forgiveness and Deliverance
•There is a humble acknowledgment of the sins of the ancestors and a plea for God’s mercy and salvation. The psalmist asks God to act not because of Israel’s worthiness, but for the sake of His name and glory.
•“Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.”
4.Verses 10-12: Appeal for Justice and Retribution
•The psalmist appeals for justice, asking God to avenge the spilled blood of His servants and to repay the nations for their brutality.
•“Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’ Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants. May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die. Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.”
5.Verse 13: A Vow of Future Praise
•The psalm concludes with a vow from the people to praise God forever, emphasizing a future hope and commitment to worship despite the current suffering.
•“Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise.”

Themes and Reflections

1. Desolation and Suffering:

•Psalm 79 captures the deep sorrow and sense of abandonment felt by the Israelites during a time of national catastrophe. The vivid imagery of the desecrated temple and unburied bodies underscores the severity of their plight.

2. Plea for Mercy and Forgiveness:

•The psalmist acknowledges the sins of the people and their ancestors, seeking God’s forgiveness and intervention. This reflects a recognition of human frailty and the need for divine grace.

3. Divine Justice:

•There is a strong call for God to enact justice upon the nations responsible for the destruction. The psalmist’s appeal to God’s sense of justice and retribution highlights a deep desire for vindication and the restoration of divine order.