As Christians we can expect persecution. However, Peter warns us that we should ensure that, if we do suffer, it is for doing good (1 Peter 3:13-17) and not for making poor, ungodly choices. If a Christian is insulted and called a hypocrite for behaving badly in the workplace, that's not persecution. It is only when we are persecuted ″because of righteousness″ that we are blessed (Matthew 5:10).

The worst suffering that Israel endured in biblical times is arguably the destruction of her city in 586 B.C. This suffering was entirely deserved. This is the likely background to Psalm 79. Similar to Psalm 74, this psalm is a lament by the survivors of this catastrophe. The psalmist begins by reminding God that it was your inheritance, your temple, your servants, and your people who were destroyed (Psalm 79:1-2). Since these people and places belong to God and are precious to Him, the poet cries out to God to come and help them.

Asaph doesn't deny that Israel's suffering is God's just punishment for their sin. But his question is, ″will you be angry for ever″ (v. 5)? The children of the generation that had turned away from God are still bearing the consequences of their parents' sins (v. 8). This is Asaph's lament.

The psalmist prays for two things. First, he seeks God's forgiveness (v. 9). He wants the punishment by God to end so they can begin to rebuild their lives. Secondly, he asks God to ″pour out your wrath on the nations″ (v. 6; see also vv. 11-12). Israel may have deserved the suffering, which came upon them for persisting in disobedience towards God, but those who murdered and destroyed brutally also deserve God's judgment.

Why should God act for Israel now? Again, there are two reasons. First, ″for your name's sake″ (v. 9). The poet's concern is the nations will not give God the glory He deserves. Instead they may think that God isn't strong enough to rescue them. Secondly, God's deliverance will result in the praise of His people ″from generation to generation″ (v. 13).

Historically, the prayer of this psalm was answered when the nation that had brought such suffering on Israel, Babylon, was destroyed in 539 B.C. The following year Israel was allowed to return and rebuild Jerusalem.

Henry Martyn (1781-1812) was a missionary to India. He was deeply hurt that the nations did not worship the Saviour of the world and wrote, ″I could not endure existence if Jesus was not glorified″. The writer of our psalm shares the same grief. His desire is for God to rescue them from their distress so the nations will glorify God for His power and love. Whether we are suffering or not, God's glory should be the ultimate goal of our prayers and desire of our hearts.