Psalm 79 is a lament over the destruction of Jerusalem. The temple is defiled, the city ruined (v. 1). It is a macabre sacrifice: Bodies are left for the birds and beasts, and blood flows like water (vv. 2-3). And Israel’s enemies who have carried out this devastating taunt Israel and Yahweh (v. 4).
Asaph is confident that it won’t last forever. The taunts and curses of Israel’s enemies were turn back on them (v. 12), and Israel’s lamentations will give way to thanksgiving (v. 13).
Asaph describes, in short, the contrasting geometry of taunts and thanks. Taunts are circular; they go out from God’s enemies, but they’ll return to the origin. And when that happens, the people of God give thanks, and thanks is a vector. It rises to God, and it extends itself in time from generation to generation (v. 13).
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