1O God, the nations have come into your inheritance. They have made your holy temple unclean. They have left Jerusalem in heaps of ruins.
2They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the sky, and the flesh of your holy ones to the wild animals of the earth.
3They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them.
4We have become a disgrace to our neighbours, a thing to be mocked and laughed at by those around us.
5How long, LORD? Will you be angry for ever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?
6Pour out your anger on the nations that have not known you, and on the kingdoms that have not called on your name.
7For they have devoured Jacob, and laid his home waste.
8Do not hold against us the sins of those before us. Let your tender mercies come quickly to meet us, for we have been brought very low.
9Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name. Rescue us, and wash our sins away, for your name's sake.
10Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Let it be known among the nations, while we watch, that you take revenge for the blood of your servants that has been shed.
11Let the groaning of the prisoner come before you. By your great power, keep alive those who are condemned to die.
12And pay back our neighbours seven times over for the insults with which they have insulted you, O Lord.
13Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture, will give you thanks for ever. We will tell of your praise to all generations.