Prayer in The Midst of Disaster

Topic: Prayer
Passage: Psalms 79:1–13

June 16, 2020

Commentary

The Jews of the psalmist’s day had become apostate, yet at the same time, they adopted a superstitious attitude toward the temple. They imagined that since it was God’s house it could not be destroyed and therefore Jerusalem was off limits to the invader. However it was destroyed. Many commentators say this is the eighth of a dozen of the psalms written by Asaph. It is a cry of anguish and despair. Some say it was written at the time of the Babylonian invasion, when not only the temple had been burned, but Jerusalem itself was destroyed and the Jew deported into exile. It is also a time for earnest prayer and can be divided into two sections:

Why the Psalmist Prayed (vv. 1-4).

  1. Because of the desecration of the Sanctuary (v. 1) – Not only have the heathen entered the land, but they have profaned the sanctuary and defiled the Temple by breaking into it and seized its treasures and ornaments. Finally they set fire to it (Jer. 52:13).
  2. Because of the decimation of the Saints (vv. 2,3) – “The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls.” The fact that God’s servants were tragedy enough but that their bodies remained unburied was even worse.
  3. Because of the defamation of the scornful (v. 4) – “We are become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.” The testimony of Israel had been completely taken from them. It is so easy for us to loose our testimony.

What the Psalmist Prayed (vv. 5-12).

  1. For the Lord to hurry (v.5) – to have fellowship restored when sin comes in.
  2. For the Lord to heed (vv. 6-8) – with mercy toward our weakness and wickedness.
  3. For the Lord to help (vv. 9-12) – through His name, nearness and nature.

Application

God promises his faithfulness to me through chastisement as well as love.

Psalms 79:1– 13 (NET)

1 O God, foreigners have invaded your chosen land; they have polluted your holy temple and turned Jerusalem into a heap of ruins.

2 They have given the corpses of your servants to the birds of the sky, the flesh of your loyal followers to the beasts of the earth.

3 They have made their blood flow like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury them.

4 We have become an object of disdain to our neighbors; those who live on our borders taunt and insult us.

5 How long will this go on, O Lord? Will you stay angry forever? How long will your rage burn like fire?

6 Pour out your anger on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not pray to you.

7 For they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his home.

8 Do not hold us accountable for the sins of earlier generations. Quickly send your compassion our way, for we are in serious trouble.

9 Help us, O God, our deliverer! For the sake of your glorious reputation, rescue us. Forgive our sins for the sake of your reputation.

10 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Before our very eyes may the shed blood of your servants be avenged among the nations.

11 Listen to the painful cries of the prisoners. Use your great strength to set free those condemned to die.

12 Pay back our neighbors in full. May they be insulted the same way they insulted you, O Lord.

13 Then we, your people, the sheep of your pasture, will continually thank you. We will tell coming generations of your praiseworthy acts.