Psalms 79
King James Version (KJV) · English
1 O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps. 2 The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. 3 Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them. 4 We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us. 5 How long, Lord? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire? 6 Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name. 7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place. 8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low. 9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake. 10 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed. 11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die; 12 And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord. 13 So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.
Commentary — not Bible text
Psalms 79:1
PSALM 79
Psa 79:1-13. This Psalm, like the seventy-fourth, probably depicts the desolations of the Chaldeans (Jr 52:12-24). It comprises the usual complaint, prayer, and promised thanks for relief.
1. (Compare Psa 74:2-7).
Psalms 79:2-3
Psalms 79:4
Psalms 79:5
Psalms 79:6-7
6-7. (Compare Jr 10:25). Though we deserve much, do not the heathen deserve more for their violence to us (Jr 51:3-5; Zec 1:14)? The singular denotes the chief power, and the use of the plural indicates the combined confederates.
called upon--or, "by"
thy name--proclaimed Thy attributes and professed allegiance (Is 12:4; Ac 2:21).
Psalms 79:8
8. former iniquities--literally, "iniquities of former times."
prevent us--literally, "meet us," as in Psa 21:3.
Psalms 79:9
9. for ... glory of thy name [and for] thy name's sake--both mean for illustrating Thy attributes, faithfulness, power, &c.
purge ... sins--literally, "provide atonement for us." Deliverance from sin and suffering, for their good and God's glory, often distinguish the prayers of Old Testament saints (compare Ep 1:7).
Psalms 79:10
10. This ground of pleading often used (Ex 32:12; Nu 14:13-16).
blood ... shed--(Psa 79:3).
Psalms 79:11
11. prisoner--the whole captive people.
power--literally, "arm" (Psa 10:15).
Psalms 79:12
Psalms 79:13
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