1 <A Psalm. Of Asaph.> O God, the nations have come into your heritage; they have made your holy Temple unclean; they have made Jerusalem a mass of broken walls.
2 They have given the bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the air, and the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth.
3 Their blood has been flowing like water round about Jerusalem; there was no one to put them in their last resting-place.
4 We are looked down on by our neighbours, we are laughed at and made sport of by those who are round us.
5 How long, O Lord? will you be angry for ever? will your wrath go on burning like fire?
6 Let your wrath be on the nations who have no knowledge of you, and on the kingdoms who have not made prayer to your name.
7 For they have taken Jacob for their meat, and made waste his house.
8 Do not keep in mind against us the sins of our fathers; let your mercy come to us quickly, for we have been made very low.
9 Give us help, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; take us out of danger and give us forgiveness for our sins, because of your name.
10 Why may the nations say, Where is their God? Let payment for the blood of your servants be made openly among the nations before our eyes.
11 Let the cry of the prisoner come before you; with your strong arm make free the children of death;
12 And give punishment seven times over into the breast of our neighbours for the bitter words which they have said against you, O Lord.
13 So we your people, and the sheep of your flock, will give you glory for ever: we will go on praising you through 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).