FOR THE GLORY OF YOUR NAME

Passage: Psalms 79:1-13

Key verse: 9

NIV

Psalm 79
A psalm of Asaph.

1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;(A)
    they have defiled(B) your holy temple,
    they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.(C)
2 They have left the dead bodies of your servants
    as food for the birds of the sky,(D)
    the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.(E)
3 They have poured out blood like water
    all around Jerusalem,
    and there is no one to bury(F) the dead.(G)
4 We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,
    of scorn(H) and derision to those around us.(I)

5 How long,(J) Lord? Will you be angry(K) forever?
    How long will your jealousy burn like fire?(L)
6 Pour out your wrath(M) on the nations
    that do not acknowledge(N) you,
on the kingdoms
    that do not call on your name;(O)
7 for they have devoured(P) Jacob
    and devastated his homeland.

8 Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;(Q)
    may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
    for we are in desperate need.(R)
9 Help us,(S) God our Savior,
    for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
    for your name’s sake.(T)
10 Why should the nations say,
    “Where is their God?”(U)

Before our eyes, make known among the nations
    that you avenge(V) the outpoured blood(W) 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(X) of our neighbors seven times(Y)
    the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.
13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,(Z)
    will praise you forever;(AA)
from generation to generation
    we will proclaim your praise.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

How Long, O Lord?

A Psalm of (A)Asaph.

79 O God, (B)the nations have come into your (C)inheritance;
    they have defiled your (D)holy temple;
    they have (E)laid Jerusalem in ruins.
2 They have given (F)the bodies of your servants
    to the birds of the heavens for food,
    the flesh of your (G)faithful to (H)the beasts of the earth.
3 They have poured out their blood like water
    all around Jerusalem,
    and there was (I)no one to bury them.
4 We have become (J)a taunt to our neighbors,
    (K)mocked and derided by those around us.

5 (L)How long, O Lord? Will you be angry (M)forever?
    Will your (N)jealousy (O)burn like fire?
6 (P)Pour out your anger on the nations
    that (Q)do not know you,
and on the kingdoms
    that (R)do not call upon your name!
7 For they have devoured Jacob
    and laid waste his habitation.

8 (S)Do not remember against us (T)our former iniquities;[a]
    let your compassion come speedily to meet us,
    for we are (U)brought very low.
9 (V)Help us, O God of our salvation,
    for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and (W)atone for our sins,
    for your (X)name's sake!
10 (Y)Why should the nations say,
    “Where is their God?”
Let (Z)the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants
    be known among the nations before our eyes!

11 Let (AA)the groans of the prisoners come before you;
    according to your great power, preserve those (AB)doomed to die!
12 Return (AC)sevenfold into the (AD)lap of our neighbors
    the (AE)taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord!
13 But we your people, the (AF)sheep of your pasture,
    will (AG)give thanks to you forever;
    from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 79:8 Or the iniquities of former generations
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The psalmist laments the devastation, desecration, death, and shame in Jerusalem due to the enemy’s invasion and defilement of the temple. Dead bodies were left unburied, blood was poured out like water, and God’s people became objects of contempt. The psalmist knows that they receive God’s disciplining rod because of their sins. God cannot be fooled. Our God is a consuming fire and a jealous God (Dt. 4:24).

The fruit of sin is shame and death. Sin deserves punishment, no matter what time we live in. However, the forgiveness of sin is found in God our Savior. So, the psalmist appeals to God to forgive their sins and help them for the glory of his name. He bases his appeal not on the need of his people or country but on the glory of God’s name. He pleads with God to deliver his people and to punish the godless enemies for his glory. When God reveals his glory, the psalmist then ascertains that his people will praise God forever. The purpose of all things is for the glory of God. It is good to desire God’s powerful work in our lives, but to what end? God’s glory. It is right to ask God to help and save others, but with what motive? God’s glory.

Prayer: Lord, forgive our sins and defeat the devil for your glory. Help me live and die for your glory and do everything for your glory.

One Word: For God’s glory