Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 79:9

"Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name; And deliver us, and forgive our sins, for thy name`s sake." — Psalms 79:9 (ASV)

Purge away. —Rather, put a cover on. So Cicero speaks of political crimes being covered by the plea of friendship.

Our sins. —How is this to be taken in connection with Psalms 79:8? Does the psalmist admit guilt in his own generation, as well as in those of former times? Or is he thinking only of the inherited guilt and punishment? The general tone of post-exile psalms inclines towards the latter view.