Read
(A psalm by Asaph.)
Have Pity on Jerusalem
1 Our God, foreign nations
have taken your land,
disgraced your temple,
and left Jerusalem in ruins.
2They have fed the bodies
of your servants
to flesh-eating birds;
your loyal people are food
for savage animals.
3All Jerusalem is covered
with their blood,
and there is no one left
to bury them.
4Every nation around us
sneers and makes fun.
5Our Lord, will you keep on
being angry?
Will your angry feelings
keep flaming up like fire?
6Get angry with those nations
that don't know you
and won't worship you!
7They have gobbled up
Jacob's descendants
and left the land in ruins.
8 Don't make us pay for the sins
of our ancestors.
Have pity and come quickly!
We are completely helpless.
9Our God, you keep us safe.
Now help us! Rescue us.
Forgive our sins
and bring honor to yourself.
10Why should nations ask us,
“Where is your God?”
Let us and the other nations
see you take revenge
for your servants who died
a violent death.
11Listen to the prisoners groan!
Let your mighty power save all
who are sentenced to die.
12Each of those nations sneered
at you, our Lord.
Now let others sneer at them,
seven times as much.
13Then we, your people,
will always thank you.
We are like sheep
with you as our shepherd,
and all generations
will hear us praise you.
Reflect
How should we pray when hope is spent, there’s nowhere to turn, and nothing more we can do?
Asaph begins his entreaty in the dust of despair. A savage enemy has wreaked carnage. In the blood spattered, ember smoking aftermath of destruction, there’s nothing but desolation. The land’s been defiled (v 1a), the temple desecrated (v 1b), Jerusalem destroyed (v 1c), and the servants of God decimated and defamed (vv 2-4).
Are you in a desperate situation? Are you wondering how to call on God for help? Asaph asked God to do three things for his people: to stop penalizing them (v 5), to punish their enemy (vv 6-7), and to take pity on them (v 8).
When darkness eclipses the light, when sin comes between us and God, what to do? Asaph knows that the way to appeal for help is to call on the name of the Lord (v 9a-b), confess sin (v 9c), expect God to draw near (v 10), and invite him to intervene (vv 11-12).
When we’re wondering “How long Lord?”, when we’re crying out for a hearing, looking for a pardon, mired in doom and gloom, it’s natural to “groan” (v 11). The word translated “groan” is only used 5 times in the Bible. It’s translated in the KJV as “sighing” and in the NLT as “moaning”. It’s a fitting word to isolate because it highlights the depths of pain and angst that we all feel when we’re urgently in need of help.
Now for the good news: When our lives are a shambles and unbelievers scoff, there’s still hope. Asaph’s prayer ends with trust and expectation. He knows there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, knows that help will come from God. Why? Because we’re God’s sheep (v 13b) and the Lord is our shepherd (v 13c). So don’t despair; tell everyone you meet that God is wonderful and praiseworthy! (v 13d).
Respond
Lord, “Give our jeering neighbours what they’ve got coming to them; let their God-taunts boomerang and knock them flat. Then we, your people, the ones you love and care for, will thank you over and over and over” (Psalm 79:13 Msg). Amen.
Lawson Murray
Lawson is the President of Scripture Union Canada and the Managing Editor of theStory™. Lawson takes every opportunity to enthusiastically invite people of all ages to connect with Jesus and His Story. He says, “We have been given the greatest story ever - God's Story! Should we not, with all our might and energy immerse ourselves in it? I believe we should. For without the Story we really have nothing to offer the millions who hunger and thirst for something more. But, with God’s Story we have what everyone needs!” Publications: Bible Engagement Blog; Children’s Ministry Basics Blog, Bible Engagement Basics; Bible Beginners