Psalm 79
A PSALM OF ASAPH
The Temple Defiled
(79:1-4), Israel is guilty of great evil and faithlessness. As a consequence, God sent Babylon to destroy Israel’s capital and temple. Jerusalem was left with bodies to be scavenged by wild animals. There was no one left to bury the dead.
A Prayer for Rescue from God’s Anger
(79:5-10), Desperate for relief, Asaph asks God how long his anger towards Isreal will burn. Asaph begs God to save His people and to forgive them. He wants God to avenge the blood that Babylon has spilled.
A Prayer Asking for Mercy and Giving Thanks
(79:11-13), Asaph wants God to shatter the bars that cage Isreal’s prisoners of war and pay back seven times the hate God’s promised people have endured. He prayed that if God proves He is their God by rescuing them, God’s people will praise Him forever.
MY OBSERVATION:
Psalm 79 opens by describing the aftermath of Jerusalem’s destruction. The psalmist wonders about God’s anger toward the people and asks for forgiveness. He prays that God will bring vengeance to Babylon and avenge Jerusalem's desecration.
This Psalm encourages us to keep our faith, seek forgiveness, and continue to praise God, no matter the circumstance. Research states that this Psalm was sung each spring at Passover and recounted the devastation of Jerusalem of the Lord’s temple. We can also be reminded from this Psalm that God does not allow sin to go unnoticed; it had devastating consequences on their land and people.
As we look around us today, sin has been desensitized and been socially acceptable, but God will judge all sin. We must continue to pray for personal and national revival.
Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Amen Sister Sandra!!!