A Prayer for Deliverance
(Psalm 74:1–23; Jeremiah 52:1–11)

1A Psalm of Asaph.

1 O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance;

they have defiled Your holy temple;

they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.

2They have given the corpses of Your servants

as food for the birds of the heavens,

the flesh of Your holy ones for the beasts of the earth.

3They have poured out their blood like the waters

around Jerusalem,

and there is none to bury them.

4We have become a reproach for our neighbors,

a mocking and derision for those around us.

5Until when, O YHWH?

Will You be angry forever?

Will Your jealousy burn like fire?

6Pour out Your wrath toward the nations

that have not known You,

and upon the kingdoms

that have not called on Your name!

7For they have devoured Jacob,

and his habitation they have made desolate.

8Do not remember the former iniquities against us;

hurry to let Your compassion come,

for we have been brought very low.

9Help us, O God of our salvation!

And deliver us, because of the glory of of Your name,

and cover over our sins

for the sake of Your name.

10Why should the nations say,

“Where is their God?”

Let it be known among the nations before our eyes,

the avenging of the blood of Your servants that was shed!

11Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You;

by the greatness of Your power, preserve the sons of death.

12And may You return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom

their reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord!

13Then we, Your people, and the sheep of Your pasture,

will give thanks to You forever;

for generation and generation

we will declare Your praise.