Psalms 79 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Psalm 79

How Long, O Lord?

A Psalm of Asaph.

79:1   O God, the nations have come into your inheritance;
    they have defiled your holy temple;
    they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.
2   They have given the bodies of your servants
    to the birds of the heavens for food,
    the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.
3   They have poured out their blood like water
    all around Jerusalem,
    and there was no one to bury them.
4   We have become a taunt to our neighbors,
    mocked and derided by those around us.
5   How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever?
    Will your jealousy burn like fire?
6   Pour out your anger on the nations
    that do not know you,
  and on the kingdoms
    that do not call upon your name!
7   For they have devoured Jacob
    and laid waste his habitation.
8   Do not remember against us our former iniquities;¹
    let your compassion come speedily to meet us,
    for we are brought very low.
9   Help us, O God of our salvation,
    for the glory of your name;
  deliver us, and atone for our sins,
    for your name’s sake!
10   Why should the nations say,
    “Where is their God?”
  Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants
    be known among the nations before our eyes!
11   Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;
    according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die!
12   Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors
    the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord!
13   But we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
    will give thanks to you forever;
    from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

Footnotes

[1] 79:8 Or the iniquities of former generations

Commentary

The desolation and misery of Israel, similar to Ps 74; this may be prophetic rather than historical.

v1-4: See Ps 74.3-11; the enemy in the ascendancy, God's people suffered all manner of affliction. The psalmist sees that the battle is the Lord's; the enemies have reproached the Lord God Himself (v12); an attack upon His people is an attack upon Him.

v5-8: God will vindicate His Name in two ways; in bringing judgment upon those who do not believe, and in restoring His people. The psalmist's question (v5) is when will these things be effected, "How long, O Lord?"

v9-10: The Lord will act for His own sake; our dependence is therefore upon Him, for we cannot change things in our own strength.

v11: Unless the Lord does act, the end is death; but the Lord does hear the cries of His people, Ex 2.24, and He is full of mercy.

v12: Again, a prayer for judgment upon those who have attacked God's people.

v13: Looking forward to the day of restoration.