Lament in Psalm 79 Turns to Recounting His Praise

Life goes awry in a broken world. Even God’s people, where God’s temple has been built, can be defiled. Ruin can come to the very best, the strongest.

“O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.” Psalm 79:1

God’s servants can be fed to birds or the beasts of the field. Asaph recognizes difficulties have come to God’s strong people. They are facing their temple being defiled. Ruined. As such, they are ridiculed. Defiled. Laid in ruins. Blood poured out.

“We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us.” Psalm 79: 4

God’s chosen nation. Mocked by neighbors. Taunted. Derided. Life has gone awry, for sure.

If you’re facing loss of any kind, you can understand the simple difficulty to understand. Whole books have been written about bad things happening to good people. Erik Reed, in Uncommon Trust, writes, “Many sincere followers of Jesus have delusions that their lives will remain free of major troubles. When those false ideas crumble under the weight of invading problems, it leaves many Christians disoriented and questioning where God was when the storm rolled through.” So, it’s appropriate to turn to God, even with your sincere questions.

Even complaint.

“How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?” Psalm 79:5

In brokenness and loss, even reproof, it’s wonderful to know lament is an appropriate response. Asaph cries out, “How long, O Lord?” Life gone awry resembles anger from God. Jealousy. Burning as if on fire.

Asaph calls out in lament for God to pour out his anger on the nations that do not know him and kingdoms that do not call on his name. Those nations, those enemies, have devoured Jacob—his habitation has been laid waste.

Loss can feel the same way. Laid waste. Fire and destruction.

As I faced loss and brokenness, I came face-to-face with my own brokenness. I cry out with Asaph in Psalm 79:7, “Do not remember against [me my]…iniquities…” Loss is a time of introspection and consideration. Or it should be.

“Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low.” Psalm 79:8

Brokenness is a reminder that God is in heaven, and we are on earth (Ecclesiastes 5:2). Loss reminds us of our lowliness. Loss humbles us. Loss reinforces our need. And that’s good. We are reminded of our own frailty, our own sin. And we cry with Asaph, “…let your compassion come speedily…”

He alone is our God of salvation. He alone deserves glory. By redeeming us out of brokenness—our sin and the pain from sin—he shines a glorious light on his name.

“Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’” Psalm 79:10

You see, this is about God and not about us. Regardless of what we may think. I have loved the powerful message in Psalm 31:3: “For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me…” The story you’re in now is for his name’s sake.

Indeed, why should the nations assume our God is absent? He is not! In lament, we cry out for his name to be avenged and known among the nations. This avenging comes with steadfast love and deep mercy. He loves all the inhabitants of the world. Asaph calls for retribution. He seeks preservation for those doomed and taunting of those who taunt God. Sevenfold he says.

We, however, are grateful sheep. “They were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Harassed. Helpless. And yet, we are grateful for a God who hears our lament. And we rehearse his praise from generation to generation.

“But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.” Psalm 79:13