This article is based on Psalm 79, a psalm attributed to Asaph. It was written in the aftermath of one of the most devastating events in the history of the Jewish people: the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. This catastrophe marked a turning point not only politically and socially, but also spiritually for Israel. The trauma of this event was so profound that it is described multiple times throughout the Old Testament, notably in 2 Kings 25, 2 Chronicles 36:11–21, Jeremiah 39:1–14, and Jeremiah 52. These passages recount in painful detail the fall of the city, the destruction of the temple, the exile of the people, and the apparent triumph of Israel’s enemies.
Psalm 79 must be read against this dark historical background. Jerusalem, the city of God, had been invaded. The temple, which symbolized the presence of the Lord among His people, had been desecrated. Many were killed, others taken captive, and the land was left desolate. For a nation whose identity was deeply rooted in the covenant with God, this destruction raised agonizing questions. How could this happen to God’s chosen people? Had the Lord abandoned them? Was His power diminished?
This psalm is an honest expression of pain, frustration, and humiliation. Asaph does not hide the suffering of the people nor the severity of the situation. He describes how the nations have invaded God’s inheritance, defiled His holy temple, and left Jerusalem in ruins. The dead bodies of God’s servants were given as food to birds and beasts, and there was no one to bury them. These are graphic and disturbing images, meant to convey the depth of Israel’s suffering and shame.
To fully grasp the emotional weight of this psalm, we must remember Israel’s past. This was the same people who had witnessed God’s mighty acts in Egypt. They saw the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the defeat of Pharaoh’s army. They had conquered powerful nations under God’s direction and had seen walls fall and enemies flee. The God of Israel had been known among the nations as a mighty warrior and protector. Yet now, that same nation lay in ruins, seemingly powerless before foreign armies.
This contrast between past victories and present defeat is at the heart of Psalm 79. The psalmist is not merely lamenting political loss; he is wrestling with theological crisis. The destruction of the temple was not just the loss of a building, but the apparent loss of God’s dwelling place among His people. For Israel, this felt like the ultimate disgrace.
However, what makes Psalm 79 so remarkable is not only its honesty, but its faith. Even in the midst of devastation, the psalmist does not abandon God. He does not deny God’s sovereignty, nor does he stop praying. Instead, he turns to God with his pain, acknowledging Israel’s sin and pleading for mercy. This teaches us an important lesson: true worship does not deny suffering, but it brings suffering before God.
The psalmist recognizes that Israel’s suffering did not come out of nowhere. There is an awareness that sin and disobedience played a role in bringing about judgment. Yet this acknowledgment does not lead to despair, but to repentance and hope. Asaph appeals to God’s compassion, asking Him to remember His covenant and act for the sake of His name. The focus shifts from Israel’s failure to God’s faithfulness.
This is a crucial point. In moments of humiliation and defeat, it is easy to lose sight of our identity. Yet the psalmist refuses to forget who they are. Despite the destruction, they remain God’s people. Despite the shame, they are still the sheep of His pasture. This identity is not erased by circumstances. It is grounded in God’s covenant, not in Israel’s performance.
That is why the psalm ends with such a powerful declaration of faith:
So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.
Psalm 79:13
This verse is striking because it comes after a psalm filled with grief and lament. There is no indication that the situation has changed. Jerusalem is still destroyed. The people are still suffering. Yet the psalmist makes a deliberate choice: worship will not cease. Praise will not be silenced by tragedy. Gratitude will endure beyond disaster.
The psalmist declares that they will give thanks forever, not temporarily. He commits to proclaiming God’s praise to all generations, not only to those who experienced victory. This reveals a profound truth about worship: it is not dependent on circumstances, but on conviction. Worship is not a reaction to success; it is a response to who God is.
For the people of Israel, worship was not negotiable. They understood that praising God was not something reserved only for times of prosperity. It was essential in times of defeat as well. They knew that God remained worthy of glory, even when His people were broken and humiliated. This kind of worship requires deep faith and spiritual maturity.
This lesson is just as relevant for believers today. We may not experience the destruction of a city or the desecration of a temple, but we do face seasons of loss, disappointment, and shame. Dreams collapse, relationships break, health fails, and plans fall apart. In those moments, we are tempted to withdraw from worship, to grow bitter, or to remain silent before God.
Psalm 79 challenges us to do the opposite. It calls us to worship even when we do not understand. It invites us to give thanks even when circumstances seem unjust. It reminds us that our identity as God’s people does not change when life becomes difficult. We are still His sheep, still under His care, still part of His story.
Worship in suffering does not mean pretending that pain does not exist. The psalmist did not minimize the destruction or ignore the suffering. Instead, he brought it honestly before God. True worship includes lament, confession, and longing for restoration. It is a holistic response to God that embraces every season of life.
By choosing to praise God “to all generations,” the psalmist also demonstrates hope for the future. Even in ruin, he believes that God’s story with His people is not over. There will be future generations who will hear of God’s faithfulness. This hope looks beyond immediate circumstances and trusts in God’s long-term purposes.
In conclusion, Psalm 79 teaches us that worship is not conditional. It is not reserved for moments of triumph, but practiced in moments of despair. The psalmist shows us that even after great destruction and humiliation, God’s people can still lift their voices in praise. This kind of worship honors God deeply because it declares His worth above all circumstances.
May we learn from the psalmist to praise God in both good and bad times, in victories and defeats, in joy and in sorrow. Let us give thanks forever and proclaim His praise to all generations, knowing that He alone is worthy of all glory and honor.