Psalm 79 "Former Iniquities"

Psalm for Today = 79:8-9 

"Do not remember against us our former iniquities; 
let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. 
   Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; 
deliver us, and atone for our sins,  for your name's sake!"

Comment: 
Verse 9 is a perfect example of what is called "Synonymous Parallelism" where the two lines poetically say the same thing using different words. There are three parallel parts to each line.

   Help us,    O God of our salvation,    for the glory of your name; 
          A                            B                                   C
deliver us,   and atone for our sins,     for          your name's sake!"
         A'                            B'                                  C'

When we see this kind of parallelism we are to look for what it says as a complete thought rather than emphasizing differences between the two lines.

As the psalmist continues with the theme of lament over the destruction of Jerusalem there comes a corporate confession of the sins of their nation. It is always good when approaching God to confess your need... after all, He is God and we are not. He is righteous and we are not. 

I'm thinking that our country has a few things that we all ought to confess because we have enjoyed the present benefits of past unjust acts and unjust structures. 

Any takers?