Read Psalm 79 at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraph divisions:
1a O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance; They have defiled Your holy temple; {n}
1b They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.
2a The dead bodies of Your servants They have given as food for the birds of the heavens, {n}
2b The flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.
3 Their blood they have shed like water all around Jerusalem, And there was no one to bury them.
4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors, A scorn and derision to those who are around us.
5 How long, Lord? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?
6a Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You, {n}
6b And on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name.
7 For they have devoured Jacob, And laid waste his dwelling place.
8a Oh, do not remember against us the iniquities of our forefathers! {n}
8b Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, For we have been brought very low.
9a Help us, O God of our salvation, For the glory of Your name; {n}
9b And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, For Your name’s sake!
10a Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” {n}
10b Let there be known among the nations in our sight The avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed.
11 Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You; According to the greatness of Your power preserve those who are appointed to die;
12a And return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach {n}
12b With which they have reproached You, O Lord.
13a So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, Will give You thanks forever; {n}
13b We will show forth Your praise to all generations. {p}
There are several overlapping structures in this psalm. Here is the pattern I was able to find which encompassed the whole psalm:
1a) Psa 79:1-6, Jerusalem laid waste, Jacob devoured:
1) Psa 79:1-3, Jerusalem laid waste/ God’s people slain;
1a) Psa 79:1, The nations have come into Your inheritance + defiled Your temple {n} + laid Jerusalem in heaps;
1b) Psa 79:2a, The dead bodies of Your servants are food for the birds of the heavens; {n}
2b) Psa 79:2b, The flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth;
2a) Psa 79:3, Shed their blood all around Jerusalem with no one to bury them;
2) Psa 79:,4 We are a reproach + scorn + derision to our neighbors;
3) Psa 79:5-6, How long, Lord? Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You;
1b) Psa 79:7, For they have devoured Jacob, And laid waste his dwelling place;
1c) Psa 79:8a, Oh, do not remember against us the iniquities of our forefathers! {n}
1d) Psa 79:8b, Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, for we have been brought very low;
central axis) Psa 79:9a Help us, O God of our salvation, For the glory of Your name; {n}
2d) Psa 79:9b, And deliver us;
2c) Psa 79:9c, And provide atonement for our sins, For Your name’s sake!
2b) Psa 79:10a, Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” {n}
2a) Psa 79:10b-13, Avenge Your servants, Jacob’s thanksgiving:
1) Psa 79:10b-11, Let the nations know You avenge + preserve Your servants;
2) Psa 79:12, Return to the reproach of our neighbors into their bosom;
3) Psa 79:13, So Your people will give You thanks forever. {p}
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