Day 16 : Morning Prayer
79

Deus, venerunt

1  O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; *
they have defiled your holy temple, and made Jerusalem 
a heap of stones.
2  The dead bodies of your servants have they given to be meat
  for the birds of the air, *
and the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the land.
3  Their blood have they shed like water on every side
  of Jerusalem, *
and there was no one to bury them.
4  We have become a reproach to our enemies, *
an object of scorn and derision to those who are 
round about us.
5  O Lord, how long will you be angry? *
Shall your jealousy burn like fire for ever?

d a y   1 6   :   m o r n i n g   p r a y e r   |   p s a l m   7 9   |374  t h e   p s a l t e r

6  Pour out your indignation upon the nations that have
  not known you, *
and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon 
your Name.
7  For they have devoured Jacob *
and laid waste his dwelling place.
8  O remember not our past sins, but have mercy on us speedily, *
for we have come to great misery.
9  Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your Name; *
O deliver us and forgive our sins for your Name’s sake.
10  Why do the nations say, *
“Where now is their God?”
11  O let the vengeance of your servants’  blood that is shed *
be known in our sight among the nations.
12  O let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoners come before you; *
according to the greatness of your power, preserve those 
who are condemned to die.
13  As for the blasphemy by which our neighbors have
  blasphemed you, *
repay them, O Lord, seven-fold into their bosoms.
14  So we, who are your people and the sheep of your pasture,
  shall give you thanks for ever, *
and will always be showing forth your praise 
from generation to generation.