Psalms 79:1
A Psalm of Asaph.
What it says
The nations have invaded God's inheritance, defiled the temple, and left Jerusalem in ruins.
What it is doing
This verse opens with the core devastation that drives the whole prayer.
In context
1A Psalm of Asaph. 2They have given the corpses of Your servants 3They have poured out their blood like water 4We have become a reproach to our neighbors, 5How long, O LORD? 6Pour out Your wrath on the nations 7for they have devoured Jacob 8Do not hold past sins against us; 9Help us, O God of our salvation, 10Why should the nations ask, 11May the groans of the captives reach You; 12Pay back into the laps of our neighbors 13Then we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture,