1 > God, the nations have come into your inheritance. They have defiled your holy temple. They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.
2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food for the birds of the sky, The flesh of your saints to the animals of the earth.
3 Their blood they have shed like water around Jerusalem. There was no one to bury them.
4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing and derision to those who are around us.
5 How long, Yahweh? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that don't know you; On the kingdoms that don't call on your name;
7 For they have devoured Jacob, And destroyed his homeland.
8 Don't hold the iniquities of our forefathers against us. Let your tender mercies speedily meet us, For we are in desperate need.
9 Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of your name. Deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name's sake.
10 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Let it be known among the nations, before our eyes, That vengeance for your servants' blood is being poured out.
11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you. According to the greatness of your power, preserve those who are sentenced to death;
12 Pay back to our neighbors seven times into their bosom Their reproach with which they have reproached you, Lord.
13 So we, your people and sheep of your pasture, Will give you thanks forever. We will praise you forever, to all generations.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 79
Commentary on Psalms 79 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 79
Ps 79:1-13. This Psalm, like the seventy-fourth, probably depicts the desolations of the Chaldeans (Jer 52:12-24). It comprises the usual complaint, prayer, and promised thanks for relief.
1. (Compare Ps 74:2-7).
2, 3. (Compare Jer 15:3; 16:4).
4. (Compare Ps 44:13; Jer 42:18; La 2:15).
5. How long—(Ps 13:1).
be angry—(Ps 74:1-10).
jealousy burn—(De 29:20).
6, 7. (Compare Jer 10:25). Though we deserve much, do not the heathen deserve more for their violence to us (Jer 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 (Isa 12:4; Ac 2:21).
8. former iniquities—literally, "iniquities of former times."
prevent us—literally, "meet us," as in Ps 21:3.
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 Eph 1:7).
10. This ground of pleading often used (Ex 32:12; Nu 14:13-16).
blood … shed—(Ps 79:3).
11. prisoner—the whole captive people.
power—literally, "arm" (Ps 10:15).
12. into their bosom—The lap or folds of the dress is used by Eastern people for receiving articles. The figure denotes retaliation (compare Isa 65:6, 7). They reproached God as well as His people.
13. sheep … pasture—(Compare Ps 74:1; 78:70).