69 And he built his sanctuary as the heavens, and established it as the earth for ever,

70 And he chose David his servant, and took him out of the sheepfolds

71 And from the milkers he brought him to feed his people Jacob, and his inheritance Israel.

72 And he shepherded them in the purity of his heart, and led them with wise hands.

Psalm 78

Psalm of Asaph.

1 God! the Gentiles have come into Thy inheritance, they have defiled Thy holy temple, they have turned Jerusalem into ruins;

2 The carcasses of Thy servants have been given to be devoured by the birds of the air, and the bodies of Thy saints to the beasts of the earth.

3 And they shed their blood like water round about Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them.

4 We have become a laughing stock among our neighbors, a reproach and a reproach to those around us.

5 How long, O Lord, wilt thou be angry unceasingly, shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call on your name,

7 for they devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling.

8 Remember not to us the sins of our forefathers; Thy mercies shall soon precede us, for we are greatly exhausted.

9 Help us, O God our Saviour, for the glory of thy name; deliver us and forgive us our sins for Thy name's sake.

10 Why should the Gentiles say, 'Where is their God?' Let vengeance be made known among the Gentiles before our eyes for the shed blood of Thy servants.

11 Let the groaning of the prisoner come before Thee; by the power of Thy arm preserve those who are doomed to death.

12 Seven times restore to our neighbours into their bosom the reproach with which they reproached thee, O Lord.

13 But we, Thy people, and Thy pasture of sheep, shall praise Thee for ever, and proclaim thy praise to generations and generations.

Psalm 79

1 To the head of the choir. On the musical instrument Shoshannim-Eduf. Psalm of Asaph.