Psalm 79: a prayer to God to punish the sinners

In Psalm 79, Jehovah asked for justice for his people. The Creator recognizes the sinner and the righteous man and His righteousness will judge every man by his actions.

In this psalm we can appreciate the cry for the people of Jerusalem, demanding the attention of the Creator so that He punishes the sinners and saves and liberates the righteous men who follow the path of good.

Suffering is a lesson for a man to return to the path of good

This psalm shows us all the suffering that people have had for disobeying the divine laws. The men who inhabited Jerusalem doubted that the divine judgment was really carried out and they continued their existence full of sins and disobedience to God.

This Psalm 79 will help us understand that we must respect the Commandments established by God. Many prophets talk about the divine judgment given to men and nations. This is established by the laws of creation. For this reason, a man should strive to follow the path of good and live an existence full of just and kind actions.

Understanding the establishment of divine judgment

There are different biblical studies that we can get from the psalms. Each one of them has a very particular message that contains a great knowledge.

However, Psalm 79  is very important because it contains a very profound message. Perhaps man does not understand the true meaning of divine punishment. But the truth is that there are laws that are unbreakable and that are executed according to the rules established by the creator of heaven and earth.

God rewards the righteous and severely punishes the unjust. This is a great truth that helps us to make some important reflections.

If we follow the path of good, executing noble actions in our lives and respect the commandments of God above all things, we will have the opportunity to have an existence full of great happiness and an eternal divine blessing.

If we follow the path of evil and darkness and ignore God’s laws we will have a life full of great misfortunes. Reading this biblical psalm in detail will lead us to reflect on this profound teaching that we can apply today in our lives.

Psalm 79

¹ O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
² They have left the dead bodies of your servants
as food for the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.
³ They have poured out blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there is no one to bury the dead.
⁴ We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,
of scorn and derision to those around us.

⁵ How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever?
How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
⁶ Pour out your wrath on the nations
that do not acknowledge you,
on the kingdoms
that do not call on your name;
⁷ for they have devoured Jacob
and devastated his homeland.

⁸ Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
⁹ Help us, God our Savior,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name’s sake.
¹⁰ Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”

Before our eyes, make known among the nations
that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.
¹¹ May the groans of the prisoners come before you;
with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.
¹² Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times
the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.
¹³ Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you forever;
from generation to generation
we will proclaim your praise.

You may also like:

• Psalm 91: the most powerful shield of spiritual protection
• Psalm 100: gratitude to promote good energies
• Psalm 103: a praise for God’s love and forgiveness
• Psalm 119: the longest of them all
• Psalm 121: meeting grace and divine protection