Psalm 79

A psalm of Asaph.

This is the eighth of twelve Psalms bear the name of Asaph

1 O god, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

2 The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.

3 Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.

4 We are become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

5 How long, Lord? wilt thou be angry forever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

6 Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

7 For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his dwelling place.

8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.

9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.

10 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.

11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die.

12 And render unto our neighbors seven-fold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

13 So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

Most of the psalms written by Asaph focus on national issues of the nation of Israel.   Israel is God’s chosen nation.  As Asaph writes this psalm, he portraits a nation that has been defeated and is the controlled by them.  He portraits God as being angry against Israel.  Asaph prayer portraits the same type of prayer that Daniel prayed.  His prayer in this psalm is for God to remember not their former iniquities but instead redeem them from their enemies. Asaph is probably asking God to remember the promises that God made to Abram in Genesis 12:1-3.  This was a promise that God made to Abram that pertain to God’s relationship to the nations in the past as well as to the nations today.  It is a promise to a nation that supports Israel will be blessed and to a nation that rejects Israel will be cursed.  This psalm reflects a time when God was punishing Israel for their sins and unbelief; however, there will be a time when God will restore Israel as His beloved nation.  As we approach the last days God will be bringing the nation of Israel back into the picture of his coming. 

Reflecting on the words of Christ found from Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations and then shall the end come.” I realize that the gospel is not only a message to individuals but also to the nations.  As I read verse six of this psalm “Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;” the words of Matthew 24:14 makes me more aware of the importance of the preaching of the gospel in the world today.  Matthew 24:14 does not reflect upon the acceptance of the gospel, but the fact that it is preached to all the nations as a witness to the nations.  And after this message is preached to all the world then the end will come. 

There are many signs that we can point to that we are living in the latter days, however in Matthew 24:14 I realize that the gospel has been preached to all nations.  When I was attending college over fifty years ago one of the big focuses of the school was to train students to be missionaries to spread the Word to very nation of the world.  This was before the internet and the wireless systems that we have in the world today.  With the existing technology today, I believe that this verse is very close to or has already been fulfilled now.  With the preaching of the gospel worldwide and seeing how nations are at war against each other the end could be very near.  Just as Asaph focus upon the nation instead of the individuals, so did Christ focus of the nations in Matthew chapter twenty-four.  National view reflects the direction of the individuals within the nation.  As I witness the way the nations are abandoning the way of the righteous to the way of the ungodly, I realize that the gospel is being rejected by the world. 

Reading this psalm, I realize that the preaching of the gospel is not only to the individual, but also to the nations.  And this gospel is to be a witness against the nations.  I am not sure how God will judge these nations; however, judgment will come.  As I study history, I realize how blessed the USA has been blessed in the past.  This psalm points to a time when Israel turned from God to follow their own desires and the judgment of God fell upon Israel, this same judgment will happen to us as the nation abandons God and His way and follow after whatsoever their hearts desire.