PSALM 79 A psalm of Asaph.

Theme: When outraged by injustice, cry out to God, not against him. In times of disaster, our mood may be anger, but our trust must remain in God.

Author: Asaph (or one of his descendants), probably written after the Babylonians leveled Jerusalem (see 2 Kings 25)

https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/79.html

1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble. 2 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. 3 They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead. 4 We are objects of contempt to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us. 5 How long, LORD? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire? 6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name; 7 for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland. 8 Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. 9 Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake. 10 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. 11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die. 12 Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord. 13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise.

Study Notes:

79:6 According to the Old Testament, God's wrath and judgment often fell on entire nations because of the sins of the people within those nations. Here Asaph pled for judgment on kingdoms that refused to acknowledge God's authority. Ironically, Asaph's own nation of Judah was being judged by God for refusing to do this very thing (2 Chronicles 36:14-20). These were people who had sworn allegiance to God but were now rejecting him. This made their judgment even worse.

79:19 In the end, God's glory will be evident to all people, but in the meantime, we must endure suffering with patience and allow God to strengthen our character through it. For reasons that we do not know, pagan people often are allowed to scoff at believers. We should be prepared for criticism, jokes, and unkind remarks because God does not place us beyond the attacks of scoffers.

There is great comfort in remembering God's love in really tough times like we are experiencing now. This morning, after pouring out my concerns to God, I asked him to show me what I should do. He urged me to read a chapter in the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 13. https://www.biblestudytools.com/1-corinthians/13.html It was prefaced in my study Bible with "And now I will show you the most excellent way." Then it continued to teach about Love. This chapter is a favorite of my Mom, and Q has even quoted from it, "Love is patient, love is kind." So, for me, it was cool to be re-minded of Love after reading the anger and destruction in Psalm 79.

I love the way you work, Lord! Lord, thank you for your presence and guidance. You comfort us in so many ways, even as we endure hardships brought about by forces outside of our control. Help us to react in positive ways, productive ways, with renewed spirit to endure and create anew. Thank you for reminding us about Love, and that you are in control. In Jesus Christ's name I pray.

A Song: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sCUfTx8dzE4

Have a blessed day, filled with love.