Psalm 79: Cry out! ...for Atonement

​Key Verse
9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake!
 
Meditation
God reveals His majesty when we cry out to Him for mercy. A Canaanite woman once came to Jesus begging for mercy: “Have mercy on me, Oh Lord!” (Matthew 17) The majesty of Jesus was manifest in His response, affirming her faith before delivering her from distress.
 
The key verse of today’s psalm is a cry for mercy: “Deliver us, and atone for our sins!” (v. 9) The context reveals the desperation. Judah was conquered, Jerusalem and the temple reduced to rubble. God’s people were slaughtered and God’s enemies were gloating. 
 
Despairing situations fuel desperation, an invitation to cry out to God for mercy and salvation.
 
God’s majesty is manifest when God responds to cries for mercy (v. 10). God’s merciful move to save produces praise, the sheep of His pasture singing of His sovereign grace (vv. 11-13). Historically, God rescued Judah through Cyrus in 539 BC. Ultimately, God’s mercy is manifest through the saving work of Jesus.
 
We can cry to Jesus for mercy because Jesus cried out from the cross, an atoning sacrifice for our sins. The Canaanite woman knew- only Jesus provides the mercy we need. So too the people of Judah knew- only the Lord can deliver and atone for sins. Desperate cries for mercy exalt the name of God (vv. 9-10) because they magnify the attribute of God’s mercy when He responds. 
 
The goal of discipleship is not comfortability but majesty given to Jesus’ name. Jesus alone delivers. Jesus alone atones for sin. Jesus alone provides the mercy we need.
 
Today’s Reading
O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. 2 They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food, the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth. 3 They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them. 4 We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us. 5 How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?

6 Pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name! 7 For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation. 8 Do not remember against us our former iniquities let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. 9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake! 10 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants be known among the nations before our eyes!
 
11 Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die! 12 Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord! 13 But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation, we will recount your praise.

 
Richly Dwelling
- What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the plea for mercy?
 
- Where do you look for mercy, salvation from your desperate situations? How is that working for you?
 
- Where do you need to turn to Jesus for mercy- specifically? Take a moment to plea to Jesus for mercy, asking Him to deliver, atone, and save- for the glory of His great name!
 
Key Verse
9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake!