Psalm 79 - The Destruction of Temples - Aneel Aranha

O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
They have left the dead bodies of your servants
as food for the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.
They have poured out blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there is no one to bury the dead.
We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,
of scorn and derision to those around us.
How long, LORD? Will you be angry forever?
How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
Pour out your wrath on the nations
that do not acknowledge you,
on the kingdoms
that do not call on your name;
for they have devoured Jacob
and devastated his homeland.
Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
Help us, God our Savior,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name’s sake.
Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Before our eyes, make known among the nations
that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.
May the groans of the prisoners come before you;
with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.
Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times
the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.
Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you forever;
from generation to generation
we will proclaim your praise.

In Psalm 79, Asaph speaks about the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by foreign invaders. 

The Temple was built and destroyed twice in history. The first temple, known as Solomon's Temple, was built around 950 BC and was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The Babylonians, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, conquered Jerusalem and set fire to the temple, leaving it in ruins.

The psalmist mourns the loss of the city, the destruction of the temple, and the killing of God's people. He pleads with God to intervene and avenge the injustice inflicted upon his chosen people.

This psalm reminds us of the fragility of human life and the devastating consequences of sin and rebellion. It reflects the brokenness and pain that can result from the consequences of our actions. However, it also demonstrates how powerful faith and hope can be as the psalmist turns to God in the midst of despair.

The second temple, known as Herod's Temple, was rebuilt on the same site after the Jewish exile in Babylon. It was a grand and glorious structure that became the center of Jewish worship and religious life. One day, when his disciples called his attention to how beautiful the temple was, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." (Matthew 24:2). 

Jesus' prophesy came true forty years later. In 70 AD, the Roman army, under the leadership of General Titus, captured Jerusalem and destroyed the second temple. Jesus had earlier lamented its destruction, crying, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Luke 13:34-35).

Like the psalmist, Jesus longed for the redemption and restoration of God's people. This would come through him, through the forgiveness, reconciliation, and salvation he would give to all who would turn to him. Jesus answered the psalmist's cry for mercy and restoration through his death and resurrection. 

It is also the answer to our cry, so let us turn to Jesus in repentance and baptism and secure our eternal home.

God bless you.