Will You Be Angry Forever?

Psalm 79

• A psalm of Asaph• Probably written as

Jerusalem was destroyed by Babylon (586 BC)

• Compared with Psalm 74• Not taking full

responsibility

Judah is Defeated (1-4)

• Total destruction – temple destroyed, people slaughtered•2 Chronicles 36:15-21• The people a reproach,

scorn and derision.

Judah is Defeated (1-4)• Lesson: When we turn our

back on God, our lives will deteriorate•2 Chronicles 36:15-21• Lesson: Never forget God’s

vengeance – Rom. 11:22, 2 Thess. 1:8

Prayer for Vengeance (5-12)

• Cries for vengeance, when their defeat WAS God’s vengeance•Vs. 5- How long, Lord?

Continued affliction Before enemies avenged

Prayer for Vengeance (5-12)•Vs. 5- Acknowledgment that

punishment is justified• Superficial repentance• Lesson: God’s wrath is just and

HE determines what is appropriate – cf. Matt. 25:41, 46

• Lesson: God is longsuffering – 2 Pet. 3:9, Rom. 9:22

Prayer for Vengeance (5-12)

•Vs. 6-7- Imprecation.See Jeremiah 10:25

• Left to God to act

• Who didn’t know God? Jeremiah 2:8, 9:3, 24:7, 31:34

Prayer for Vengeance (5-12)

•Vs. 8- Do not remember our former iniquities

• God does forgive - Jeremiah 31:34, cf. Heb. 8:12, 10:17-18

• Is this confession?• Consequences – Gal. 6:9

Prayer for Vengeance (5-12)

•Vs. 9-10 – God, our source of forgiveness

• For His name’s sake - cf. Matt. 26:30

• Will we accept whatever His glory might entail? 2 Cor. 12:9-10

Prayer for Vengeance (5-12)•Vs. 10 – “Why should

nations say, ‘Where is their God?’”

• Is our conduct such that He is visible in our lives?

• Vs. 11 – a prayer for preservation

• Vs. 12 – punishment 7 fold for enemies

Promise of praise (13)

•Vs. 13 – A promise of praise if delivered

• OR, a simple promise to praise God regardless of what happens. (cf. Job. 2:10)

• BUT, how quickly do we forget?

Will you avoid the wrath of God?