This Psalm was most likely written when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the temple in 586 B.C. The overall feeling is one of lament over the circumstances. Within the Psalm is a prayer the needs of the people, curses against the enemy and praise for what God is about to do.
A Psalm of Asaph.
1 O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance;
Your holy temple they have defiled;
They have laid
2 The dead bodies of Your servants
They have given as food for the birds of the heavens,
The flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.
The nations were the godless enemies that came against
3Their blood they have shed like water all around
And there was no one to bury them.
4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors,
A scorn and derision to those who are around us.
The prophets warned of these things over and over. Did they think God wouldn't allow such a thing? Did they think they were too good for that? They acted rebelliously and the glory of the Lord departed.
5 How long, LORD?
Will You be angry forever?
Will Your 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 have devoured Jacob,
And laid waste his dwelling place.
God had determined the time when the people would pay for their rebellion. Judgment came at the hands of a godless enemy as God said it would. He also said He would judge the enemy of
8 Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us!
Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us,
For we have been brought very low.
The people of the nation were brought low. They were humbled when all they trusted in was stripped away. Once again, they came to the realization that their God was the only sure thing they had. Once again they sought His tender mercies.
9 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!
There is a concern here for the reputation of the God of Israel. For a nation to suffer defeat was the same as the God of that nation suffering defeat. The Psalmist cries out on behalf of the nation. This is a great prayer of repentance, looking for deliverance, seeking forgiveness for the purpose of the glory of God.
10 Why should the nations say,
"Where is their God?"
Let there be known among the nations in our sight
The avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed.
The Psalmist wants God to show His power and might by avenging the blood of His people against this godless enemy.
11 Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You;
According to the greatness of Your power
Preserve those who are appointed to die;
The Psalmist wants God to hear the groaning of the Jews who are in the Babylonian prisons. He want to provoke God to anger directed a the enemies but provoke him to mercy for those in prison.
12 And return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom
Their reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord.
The heathen nation was a source of reproach to the Lord when they moved against
13 So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture,
Will give You thanks forever;
We will show forth Your praise to all generations.
The Psalmist ends with praise for their sovereign God. They gave Him thanks. They were His sheep in His pasture. He is eternal and He will show Himself holy and all powerful to all generations.
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