¹God, the nations have come into your inheritance .

They have defiled your holy temple .

They have laid Jerusalem in heaps .

²They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food for the birds of the sky ,

the flesh of your saints to the animals of the earth .

³They have shed their blood like water around Jerusalem .

There was no one to bury them .

⁴We have become a reproach to our neighbours ,

a scoffing and derision to those who are around us .

⁵How long , LORD ?

Will you be angry forever ?

Will your jealousy burn like fire?

⁶Pour out your wrath on the nations that don’t know you ,

on the kingdoms that don’t call on your name ,

⁷for they have devoured Jacob ,

and destroyed his homeland.

⁸Don’t hold the iniquities of our forefathers against us .

Let your tender mercies speedily meet us ,

for we are in desperate need.

⁹Help us , God of our salvation , for the glory of your name .

Deliver us , and forgive our sins , for your name ’s sake .

¹⁰Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”

Let it be known amongst the nations , before our eyes ,

that vengeance for your servants ’ blood is being poured out .

¹¹Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you .

According to the greatness of your power , preserve those who are sentenced to death .

¹²Pay back to our neighbours seven times into their bosom

their reproach with which they have reproached you , Lord.

¹³So we , your people and sheep of your pasture ,

will give you thanks forever .

We will praise you forever , to all generations .