Psalm 79

Read Psalm 79 ESV

Who - Asaph writes a lament to the LORD.

What - The psalmist is lamenting to the LORD at the destruction of Israel and and the death of many Israelites at the hands of foreign invaders.  

When - The Psalmist does not specifically say when this happened, but the description only fits the Babylonian conquest and exile.  

Where - Unstated, but most likely Jerusalem.  

Why - The psalmist acknowledges the sins of the nation that have caused this destruction and it is the LORD’S anger poured out on them.  The psalmist is asking the LORD to relent and repay the hostile invaders.

How - The Psalmist describes a horrific scene.  So many Israelites have been killed that they cannot bury them all.  In fact so few people are left there aren't enough hands to do it.  Jerusalem has been destroyed and even the temple sacked and likely burned or torn down.  After this description comes the psalmist’s cry and lament, “How long, oh LORD?  Will you be angry forever?”  He pleads to the LORD for relief and justice.  These are idol worshiping pagans who have done this.  He acknowledges Israel's sins and asks the LORD to forgive and help them.  The psalmist points to the captor’s taunts and mocking by saying, “Where is their god?” as evidence the LORD should act for His own name's sake.  

So What 

1. When destruction comes, even when deserved judgment from the LORD for sins, we can cry out in our anguish and torment. In a sense, this cry is what the LORD is seeking from His actions.  He brings the pain of His judgement so we will repent and turn away from our sinful ways.   
2. Our cries for relief from an oppressor should be connected to the LORD’S name.  Just as the psalmist pointed to the taunts of His oppressors as evidence the LORD should act for His own name’s sake, so also we should ask the LORD to act for us out of concern for His own name’s sake.  
3. Even in the pain of the LORD’S judgment we can and should give Him praise.  Because for us He has made a way in Christ Jesus to be relieved from the greatest oppressor possible, the death of our soul in eternal judgment.  As His children, bought the with blood of Jesus, we may experience harsh discipline for our sins, but we are saved from eternal punishment.  That is something worthy of praise no matter what.