1 O God, the heathen have come into your heritage; ♦
your holy temple have they defiled
and made Jerusalem a heap of stones.
2 The dead bodies of your servants they have given
to be food for the birds of the air, ♦
and the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the field.
3 Their blood have they shed like water
on every side of Jerusalem, ♦
and there was no one to bury them.
4 We have become the taunt of our neighbours, ♦
the scorn and derision of those that are round about us.
5 Lord, how long will you be angry, for ever? ♦
How long will your jealous fury blaze like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath upon the nations that have not known you, ♦
and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon your name.
7 For they have devoured Jacob ♦
and laid waste his dwelling place.
8 Remember not against us our former sins; ♦
let your compassion make haste to meet us,
for we are brought very low.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; ♦
deliver us, and wipe away our sins for your name’s sake.
10 Why should the heathen say, ♦
‘Where is now their God?’
11 Let vengeance for your servants’ blood that is shed ♦
be known among the nations in our sight.
12 Let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoners come before you, ♦
and by your mighty arm
preserve those who are condemned to die.
13 May the taunts with which our neighbours taunted you, Lord, ♦
return sevenfold into their bosom.
14 But we that are your people and the sheep of your pasture
will give you thanks for ever, ♦
and tell of your praise from generation to generation.
Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.
Download the Reflections on the Psalms app
