"Where Is Their GOD?"

"Do not remember against us the sins of our fathers.

Let YOUR compassion hurry to us, for we have been brought very low.

Help us, GOD, our savior, for the glory of YOUR name; forgive us, for the sake of YOUR name.

Give not the nations a chance to say, 'Where is their GOD?'  Before YOUR eyes , let them know that YOU avenge the blood of YOUR servants.

Listen to the groans of the prisoners; by the strength of YOUR arm, deliver those doomed to die.

Return our neighbors sevenfold, O YAHWEH, the taunts with which they have taunted YOU.

Then we, YOUR people, the flock of YOUR pasture, will thank YOU forever.  We will recount YOUR praise from generation to generation."

- Psalm 79:8-13

(This psalm almost certainly refers to the fall of Jerusalem in the year 586 B.C.  There is a confession of guilt--the guilt of an earlier generation.  It is interesting that this ingredient should enter the solution of the problem of suffering: Has this man sinned--or his parents?  And, indeed, we may blame our ancestors, for some of our condition, so long as we realize that we may, and do, contribute to the unhappiness of our children.  We are the context into which they will be born, for better or for worse.  

As long as there are captives and blood is poured in this our land, whenever we live under the weight of guilt, it is a good time to pray with this psalm.)

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