Passage: Psalm 79
The Big Idea
Psalm 79 mourns the fall of Jerusalem: the temple defiled, the city in heaps, God’s people scorned by their neighbors. “How long, Lord?” Asaph’s plea rests not on Israel’s merit but on God’s name: Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, for Your name’s sake! It ends in a promise of thanks forever from the sheep of His pasture.
Reflections
O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance (vv. 1-3). Sin brings so much devastation. I wish I’d never seen it. The enemy has no mercy and doesn’t stop. Only You can help now. Step in with Your power and grace.
We have become a reproach to our neighbors (v. 4). Instead of a blessing, we’re watched and scorned. Help us.
How long, Lord? Will You be angry forever? (v. 5). I love that I can appeal to Your mercy. Your heart is moved with compassion when I call. Answer with kindness and unusual power, for Your name’s sake.
Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You (vv. 6-7). And pour out grace on me, Your beloved child. The enemy wants to lay waste to our home. Save us, Father.
Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, for we have been brought very low (v. 8). Yes. Very low. Lift me up by Your strong hand. Under the New Covenant, You’ve promised to remember our sins no more (Hebrews 8:12). I need Your tender mercies, Your forgiveness and Your hand. Send grace.
Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; and deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins for Your name’s sake! (v. 9). Amen! It has to be all Your strength, all Your salvation, all Your grace. I can’t save myself or anyone else. And You did provide atonement, in Jesus, for Your name’s sake. My heart is broken; I cry out to You.
Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” (v. 10). Do the most wonderful miracle of Your day.
Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You (v. 11). I feel like a prisoner of these things. I believe in Your love and Your answering heart. I lay everything out in the open. Your child is hurting. Make those I love alive in You.
Return to our neighbors sevenfold their reproach with which they have reproached You (v. 12). Stand up for Your own name. I’ve done a poor job defending it. You asked me to be patient and to love, and I’ve failed more often than not. Show me Your tender mercies through Jesus.
So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever (v. 13). I give thanks in faith today. You’ll do this for Your own name, for Your glory and grace. I’m making myself a byword for You. The enemy thinks he can keep my family from You. I bring them before You. Take them as Your own inheritance, Your beloved children.
Grace Takeaway
When you’ve been brought very low, don’t plead your own record. Plead His name. God has already provided atonement for His name’s sake in Jesus, and He has promised to remember our sins no more. His tender mercies are coming to meet you.
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