Psalm 79
Psalm 79 is a communal lament written in the aftermath of the destruction of Jerusalem, likely by the Babylonians. The psalmist mourns the desecration of the temple, the devastation of the city, and the deaths of many Israelites. He pleads with God to intervene, punish the enemies, and restore His people. This chapter expresses profound grief while appealing to God’s justice and mercy, reflecting the anguish of the nation under divine judgment.
Psalm 79:1-10 (NKJV)
1 O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance;
Your holy temple they have defiled;
They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.
2 The dead bodies of Your servants
They have given as food for the birds of the heavens,
The flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.
3 Their blood they have shed like water all around Jerusalem,
And there was no one to bury them.
4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors,
A scorn and derision to those who are around us.
5 How long, Lord? Will You be angry forever?
Will Your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You,
And on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name.
7 For they have devoured Jacob,
And laid waste his dwelling place.
8 Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us!
Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us,
For we have been brought very low.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation,
For the glory of Your name;
And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins,
For Your name’s sake!
10 Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Let there be known among the nations in our sight
The avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed.
The psalmist expresses the devastation of Jerusalem, noting that the enemies have desecrated the temple and left the city in ruins. Bodies lie unburied, exposed to scavengers, which is a sign of dishonor and disgrace. The nation’s neighbors ridicule them, intensifying their humiliation. The psalmist appeals to God’s mercy, asking how long His anger will continue and calling for divine justice against the enemies. He also asks for forgiveness for their sins, recognizing that restoration can only come through God’s intervention. The plea for God to act "for the glory of Your name" reflects the desire to vindicate His reputation among the nations.
Psalm 79:11-13 (NKJV)
11 Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You;
According to the greatness of Your power
Preserve those who are appointed to die;
12 And return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom
Their reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord.
13 So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture,
Will give You thanks forever;
We will show forth Your praise to all generations.
The psalm concludes with a plea for God to hear the suffering of prisoners and save those on the brink of death. The request for sevenfold retribution indicates a call for complete and just punishment on the enemies who mocked the Lord. The psalmist promises that once delivered, God’s people will express their gratitude through lifelong praise, showing their faithfulness across generations. This ending reflects hope that God's intervention will not only restore the nation but also lead to renewed worship and testimony to God's greatness.