Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Chapter 4: Psalms 60–80

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Psalm 79 with Augustine – A Plea for Mercy The remembrance of former affliction in this psalm is not to inform God about what has happened but to ask, How long, LORD? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire? (v. 5). The psalmist is asking God not to be angry until the end, that this devastation may not continue forever, but that he moderate his punishments. Recognize that the anger and jealousy of God are not his emotions, as some people suppose who do not understand the Scriptures, but his anger means the avenging of sin; jealousy means the demanding of purity. By pursuing holiness the soul will not despise the law of her Lord, and perish by unfaithfulness to the Lord. When humans operate in anger or jealousy they are violent, but God expresses them calmly. For the glory of your name, deliver us (v. 9) in order that we may not glory in ourselves, but in the Lord. And forgive our sins for your name’s sake , not for our sake. For what else do our sins deserve, but appropriate punishments? But forgive our sins for your name’s sake . Thus you deliver us from evil things while you help us act justly and are merciful to our sins. For “no one living is righteous before you” (Ps 143:2). But sin is iniquity. And “if you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?” (Ps 130:3).