Psalms Chapter 79 (WEB)

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Psalms 79 is part of “Book III: The Leviticus Book” (73–89) in the outline of Psalms.

Psalms 79 summary

This psalm, if penned with any particular event in view, is with most probability made to refer to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the woeful havoc made of the Jewish nation by the Chaldeans under Nebuchadnezzar. It is set to the same tune, as I may say, with the Lamentations of Jeremiah, and that weeping prophet borrows two verses out of it (Psa 79:6, Psa 79:7) and makes use of them in his prayer, Jer 10:25. Some think it was penned long before by the spirit of prophecy, prepared for the use of the church in that cloudy and dark day. Others think that it was penned then by the spirit of prayer, either by a prophet named Asaph or by some other prophet for the sons of Asaph. Whatever the particular occasion was, we have here, I. A representation of the very deplorable condition that the people of God were in at this time (Psa 79:1-5). II. A petition to God for succour and relief, that their enemies might be reckoned with (Psa 79:6, Psa 79:7, Psa 79:10, Psa 79:12), that their sins might be pardoned (Psa 79:8, Psa 79:9), and that they might be delivered (Psa 79:11). III. A plea taken from the readiness of his people to praise him (Psa 79:13). In times of the church's peace and prosperity this psalm may, in the singing of it, give us occasion to bless God that we are not thus trampled on and insulted. But it is especially seasonable in a day of treading down and perplexity, for the exciting of our desires towards God and the encouragement of our faith in him as the church's patron. A psalm of Asaph.

Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

1. 1 A Psalm by Asaph. God, the nations have come into your inheritance. They have defiled your holy temple. They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.
2. 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. 3 They have shed their blood like water around Jerusalem. There was no one to bury them.
4. 4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scoffing and derision to those who are around us.
5. 5 How long, LORD? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?
6. 6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that don’t know you, on the kingdoms that don’t call on your name,
7. 7 for they have devoured Jacob, and destroyed his homeland.
8. 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. 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. 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. 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. 12 Pay back to our neighbors seven times into their bosom their reproach with which they have reproached you, Lord.
13. 13 So we, your people and sheep of your pasture, will give you thanks forever. We will praise you forever, to all generations.