Psalms 79

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 79

1¶ A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

2The 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.

3Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and [there was] none to bury [them].

4We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

5How 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.

7For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.

8O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.

9Help 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.

10Wherefore 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.

11Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;

12And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

13So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 79 laments the devastation of Jerusalem and the defilement of God's temple by the heathen, who have left the bodies of God's servants unburied. The people cry out to the Lord, questioning His enduring anger and pleading for His wrath to be poured upon their enemies. They appeal for God's help and deliverance, not for their own sake, but for the glory of His name, promising perpetual thanks and praise.

Medium Summary

The psalm opens with a lament describing the invasion and destruction of Jerusalem by the heathen, who have defiled the holy temple and left the city in ruins. The bodies of God's servants and saints are unburied, their blood shed like water, causing Israel to become a reproach to surrounding nations. The Psalmist questions how long the Lord's anger and jealousy will burn, then passionately appeals for divine wrath upon the heathen who do not know God and have devastated Jacob. The people plead for God not to remember their former iniquities but to extend His tender mercies, as they are brought very low. The central motivation for God's intervention is the glory of His name, so that the heathen will not question His existence. The psalm concludes with a promise that God's people will give Him thanks forever and proclaim His praise to all generations if He delivers them.

Long Summary

Psalm 79, attributed to Asaph, begins with a profound lament over the destruction inflicted upon God's inheritance. The heathen have invaded, defiled the holy temple, and reduced Jerusalem to heaps, leaving the bodies of God's servants and saints unburied and their blood shed profusely. This devastation has resulted in Israel becoming a reproach, scorn, and derision among their neighbors. The Psalmist cries out, questioning the duration of the Lord's anger and jealousy. A fervent prayer follows, imploring God to pour out His wrath upon the heathen nations who neither know Him nor call upon His name, for they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his dwelling place. The people then plead for God not to remember their former iniquities, but to quickly extend His tender mercies, as they are brought very low. The central appeal is for God's help, deliverance, and the purging of their sins, all for the glory of His name. The Psalmist emphasizes that God's intervention is crucial to prevent the heathen from questioning His existence, urging God to make His presence known through avenging the blood of His servants. Further requests include hearing the sighing of prisoners and preserving those appointed to die, according to His great power. The psalm also asks God to render sevenfold reproach back to their neighbors who have reproached Him. The psalm concludes with a solemn vow that God's people, the sheep of His pasture, will give Him thanks forever and proclaim His praise to all generations.

Core Concepts

  • Desecration and DestructionThe heathen have invaded God's inheritance, defiled the holy temple, and laid Jerusalem waste, leaving the dead unburied and their blood shed like water.
  • National Reproach and SufferingIsrael has become a scorn and derision to its neighbors, enduring immense suffering with their unburied dead and the questioning of God's presence.
  • Plea for Divine WrathThe Psalmist implores God to pour out His anger upon the heathen nations who do not acknowledge Him and have devastated Jacob's dwelling place.
  • Appeal for Mercy and ForgivenessDespite their low state, the people ask God to remember not former iniquities but to extend His tender mercies and purge their sins.
  • God's Glory as MotivationThe primary reason for God's intervention is the vindication of His name, preventing the heathen from questioning His existence and power.
  • Promise of ThanksgivingIn anticipation of deliverance, the people vow to give God thanks forever and proclaim His praise to all future generations.