Psalms 78
The church in time of persecution prayeth for relief. It seems to belong to the time of the Machabees.
Psalmus Asaph. Deus, venerunt gentes in hæreditatem tuam; polluerunt templum sanctum tuum; posuerunt Jerusalem in pomorum custodiam.
A psalm for Asaph. O God, the heathens are come into thy inheritance, they have defiled thy holy temple: they have made Jerusalem as a place to keep fruit.
Posuerunt morticina servorum tuorum escas volatilibus cæli; carnes sanctorum tuorum bestiis terræ.
They have given the dead bodies of thy servants to be meat for the fowls of the air: the flesh of thy saints for the beasts of the earth.
Effuderunt sanguinem eorum tamquam aquam in circuitu Jerusalem, et non erat qui sepeliret.
They have poured out their blood as water, round about Jerusalem and there was none to bury them.
Facti sumus opprobrium vicinis nostris; subsannatio et illusio his qui in circuitu nostro sunt.
We are become a reproach to our neighbours: a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.
Usquequo, Domine, irasceris in finem? accendetur velut ignis zelus tuus?
How long, O Lord, wilt thou be angry for ever: shall thy zeal be kindled like a fire?
Effunde iram tuam in gentes quæ te non noverunt, et in regna quæ nomen tuum non invocaverunt:
Pour out thy wrath upon the nations that have not known thee: and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
quia comederunt Jacob, et locum ejus desolaverunt.
Because they have devoured Jacob; and have laid waste his place.
Ne memineris iniquitatum nostrarum antiquarum; cito anticipent nos misericordiæ tuæ, quia pauperes facti sumus nimis.
Remember not our former iniquities: let thy mercies speedily prevent us, for we are become exceeding poor.
Adjuva nos, Deus salutaris noster, et propter gloriam nominis tui, Domine, libera nos: et propitius esto peccatis nostris, propter nomen tuum.
Help us, O God, our saviour: and for the glory of thy name, O Lord, deliver us: and forgive us our sins for thy name's sake:
Ne forte dicant in gentibus: Ubi est Deus eorum? et innotescat in nationibus coram oculis nostris ultio sanguinis servorum tuorum qui effusus est.
Lest they should say among the Gentiles: Where is their God? And let him be made known among the nations before our eyes, By the revenging the blood of thy servants, which hath been shed:
Introëat in conspectu tuo gemitus compeditorum; secundum magnitudinem brachii tui posside filios mortificatorum:
Let the sighing of the prisoners come in before thee. According to the greatness of thy arm, take possession of the children of them that have been put to death.
et redde vicinis nostris septuplum in sinu eorum; improperium ipsorum quod exprobraverunt tibi, Domine.
And render to our neighbours sevenfold in their bosom: the reproach wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.
Nos autem populus tuus, et oves pascuæ tuæ, confitebimur tibi in sæculum; in generationem et generationem annuntiabimus laudem tuam.
But we thy people, and the sheep of thy pasture, will give thanks to thee for ever. We will shew forth thy praise, unto generation and generation.