Psalms 78:50
Psalms 78:50 in Multiple Translations
He cleared a path for His anger; He did not spare them from death but delivered their lives to the plague.
He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;
He made a path for his anger; He spared not their soul from death, But gave their life over to the pestilence,
He let his wrath have its way; he did not keep back their soul from death, but gave their life to disease.
He sent his unrestrained anger against them; he did not spare them from death, handing them over to the plague.
He made a way to his anger: he spared not their soule from death, but gaue their life to the pestilence,
He pondereth a path for His anger, He kept not back their soul from death, Yea, their life to the pestilence He delivered up.
He made a path for his anger. He didn’t spare their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence,
He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;
He did not lessen his being angry with them, and he did not ◄spare their lives/prevent them from dying►; he sent a ◄plague/serious illness► that killed many of them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 78:50
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 78:50 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יְפַלֵּ֥ס
נָתִ֗יב
לְ/אַ֫פּ֥/וֹ
לֹא
חָשַׂ֣ךְ
מִ/מָּ֣וֶת
נַפְשָׁ֑/ם
וְ֝/חַיָּתָ֗/ם
לַ/דֶּ֥בֶר
הִסְגִּֽיר
יְפַלֵּ֥ס
pâlaç
H6424
to envy
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
נָתִ֗יב
nâthîyb
H5410
path
N-cs
לְ/אַ֫פּ֥/וֹ
ʼaph
H639
face
Prep | N-ms | Suff
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
חָשַׂ֣ךְ
châsak
H2820
to withhold
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
מִ/מָּ֣וֶת
mâveth
H4194
death
Prep | N-ms
נַפְשָׁ֑/ם
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs | Suff
וְ֝/חַיָּתָ֗/ם
chay
H2416
alive
Conj | N-fs | Suff
לַ/דֶּ֥בֶר
deber
H1698
pestilence
Prep | N-ms
הִסְגִּֽיר
çâgar
H5462
to shut
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 78:50
יְפַלֵּ֥ס
pâlaç
H6424
"to envy"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to weigh or balance things, like preparing a road or thinking deeply. In the Bible, it can also mean to envy or ponder something. It appears in various forms, like 'make' or 'weigh'.
Definition: 1) (Piel) to weigh, make level, balance 1a) to weigh out 1b) to make level or smooth
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: make, ponder, weigh. See also: Psalms 58:3; Proverbs 5:6; Psalms 78:50.
נָתִ֗יב
nâthîyb
H5410
"path"
N-cs
In the Bible, this word means a path or road that people walk on, like a beaten track. It appears in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah, referring to a traveler's journey. The word is used to describe a way or pathway.
Definition: 1) trodden with the feet, path, pathway 2) path, pathway, traveller
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: path(-way), [idiom] travel(-ler), way. See also: Judges 5:6; Proverbs 3:17; Psalms 78:50.
לְ/אַ֫פּ֥/וֹ
ʼaph
H639
"face"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.
Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
חָשַׂ֣ךְ
châsak
H2820
"to withhold"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to withhold or restrain something. It can also mean to spare, preserve, or observe. In the Bible, it is used to describe holding back or keeping something for oneself.
Definition: 1) to withhold, restrain, hold back, keep in check, refrain 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to withhold, keep back, keep for oneself, keep from, hold in check, refrain, spare, reserve 1a2) to restrain, check 1b) (Niphal) to assuage, be spared
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: assuage, [idiom] darken, forbear, hinder, hold back, keep (back), punish, refrain, reserve, spare, withhold. See also: Genesis 20:6; Job 33:18; Psalms 19:14.
מִ/מָּ֣וֶת
mâveth
H4194
"death"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to death, whether natural or violent, and is used in books like Genesis and Isaiah. It can also mean the place of the dead, or a state of ruin. This concept is seen in the story of Moses, where death is a punishment for disobedience.
Definition: 1) death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead 1a) death 1b) death by violence (as a penalty) 1c) state of death, place of death Aramaic equivalent: mot (מוֹת "death" H4193)
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). See also: Genesis 21:16; Job 38:17; Psalms 6:6.
נַפְשָׁ֑/ם
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
וְ֝/חַיָּתָ֗/ם
chay
H2416
"alive"
Conj | N-fs | Suff
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
לַ/דֶּ֥בֶר
deber
H1698
"pestilence"
Prep | N-ms
A plague or pestilence, like a disease that affects people or animals, as seen in Exodus 9:3 where God sends a pestilence on the Egyptians.
Definition: 1) pestilence, plague 2) murrain, cattle disease, cattle-plague
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: murrain, pestilence, plague. See also: Exodus 5:3; Jeremiah 28:8; Psalms 78:50.
הִסְגִּֽיר
çâgar
H5462
"to shut"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
To shut means to close something, like a door or a container. In the Bible, this word is used to describe surrendering or giving something up, like in the book of Ezra where the Israelites shut themselves in to pray.
Definition: 1) to shut, close 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to shut 1a2) to close, close up 1a3) closed up, closely joined, shut up 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be shut up 1b2) to be shut or closed 1c) (Piel) to shut up, deliver up 1d) (Pual) to be shut up 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to deliver up 1e2) to shut up, imprison 2) pure gold Aramaic equivalent: se.gar (סְגַר "to shut" H5463)
Usage: Occurs in 87 OT verses. KJV: close up, deliver (up), give over (up), inclose, [idiom] pure, repair, shut (in, self, out, up, up together), stop, [idiom] straitly. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Kings 11:27; Psalms 17:10.
Study Notes — Psalms 78:50
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 78:50 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:50
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:50
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 78:50
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:50
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 78:50
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:50
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:50
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 78:50
- Sermons on Psalms 78:50
Context — I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
48He abandoned their cattle to the hail and their livestock to bolts of lightning.
49He unleashed His fury against them, wrath, indignation, and calamity— a band of destroying angels.
50He cleared a path for His anger; He did not spare them from death but delivered their lives to the plague.
51He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham. 52He led out His people like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 7:4 | I will not look on you with pity, nor will I spare you, but I will punish you for your ways and for the abominations among you. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ |
| 2 | 2 Peter 2:4–5 | For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, among the eight; |
| 3 | Romans 8:32 | He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? |
| 4 | Ezekiel 8:18 | Therefore I will respond with wrath. I will not look on them with pity, nor will I spare them. Although they shout loudly in My ears, I will not listen to them.” |
| 5 | Ezekiel 9:10 | But as for Me, I will not look on them with pity, nor will I spare them. I will bring their deeds down upon their own heads.” |
| 6 | Ezekiel 7:9 | I will not look on you with pity, nor will I spare you, but I will punish you for your ways and for the abominations among you. Then you will know that it is I, the LORD, who strikes the blow. |
| 7 | Job 27:22 | It hurls itself against him without mercy as he flees headlong from its power. |
| 8 | Exodus 9:3–6 | then the hand of the LORD will bring a severe plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks. But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.’” The LORD set a time, saying, “Tomorrow the LORD will do this in the land.” And the next day the LORD did just that. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died. |
| 9 | Ezekiel 5:11 | Therefore as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable idols and abominations, I Myself will withdraw My favor; I will not look upon you with pity, nor will I spare you. |
Psalms 78:50 Summary
[This verse tells us that God's anger is real, and it's a response to the sins of His people, as seen in Psalms 78:50, where He did not spare them from death but delivered their lives to the plague. It's a reminder that God is holy and just, and that He will not tolerate sin, as described in Leviticus 11:44-45. However, it's also a reminder that God's mercy is available to those who repent and turn to Him, as seen in 1 John 1:9 and Psalms 51:1-2. As we reflect on this verse, we can ask ourselves how we can 'clear a path' for God's work in our lives, removing obstacles and hindrances that might prevent His blessings and mercy from flowing.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God unleash His anger on the people in this verse?
God's anger was a response to the people's sins and disobedience, as seen in Psalms 78:50, where it says He did not spare them from death but delivered their lives to the plague, similar to what is described in Deuteronomy 28:59-61, where God warns of the consequences of disobedience.
What does it mean that God 'cleared a path for His anger'?
This phrase suggests that God removed any obstacles or hindrances that might have prevented His anger from being poured out, as described in Psalms 78:50, allowing His full fury to be unleashed, similar to what is described in Nahum 1:6, where God's wrath is poured out on those who oppose Him.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's mercy?
While this verse highlights God's anger and judgment, it is also a reminder that God's mercy is often withheld from those who persist in sin, as seen in Romans 1:18-32, where God gives people over to their sinful desires, and in Psalms 78:50, where He delivers them to the plague.
What can we learn from this verse about God's character?
This verse reveals that God is a holy and just God who will not tolerate sin, as seen in Psalms 78:50, and that His anger is a response to the rebellion of His people, as described in Isaiah 59:1-2, where God's hand is not shortened that it cannot save, but His people's iniquities have separated them from Him.
Reflection Questions
- How does the concept of God's anger make me feel, and what does it reveal about my own heart and relationship with Him?
- In what ways can I apply the lesson of this verse to my own life, recognizing that God's mercy is available to those who repent and turn to Him?
- What are some ways that I can 'clear a path' for God's work in my life, removing obstacles and hindrances that might prevent His blessings and mercy from flowing?
- How can I balance the idea of God's anger and judgment with the concept of His love and mercy, as described in John 3:16 and Psalms 103:8-12?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:50
He made a way to his anger,.... Or, "for" it, so that nothing could obstruct it, or hinder the execution of it; or "he weighed a path for his anger" (m); he weighed it in the balance of justice, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:50
How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 78:50
He made a way, Heb. He weighed a path or causeway, i.e. he made a most smooth, and even, and exact path, as if he had done it by weight and measure, that so his anger might pass swiftly and freely without interruption. The phrase also seems to note the wisdom and justice of God in weighing out their plagues proportionably to their sins, and exercising great severity towards them answerably to their great and barbarous cruelty towards his people. He spared not their soul from death, i.e. he punished them with death or killing plagues, as the next words explain it. Their life; or, their beasts. So he speaks of the murrain among their cattle. But our translation seems better to agree with the next foregoing and following passages, which plainly speak of the death of persons.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:50
Psalms 78:50 He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;Ver. 50. He made a way to his anger] Heb. He weighed a path, recompensing their unjust stiffness with his just judgments, and proceeding in his anger from lighter plagues to that heaviest of all the rest, the slaying of all the flower of Egypt in one night, Psalms 78:51.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 78:50
(50) Made a way.—Literally, levelled a path. So Symmachus.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:50
50. He made a way to his anger] Lit., he levelled a path for his anger, i.e. gave it free course. but gave their life over to the pestilence] This is the natural rendering of the words in this context. The rendering of R.V. marg., gave their beasts over to the murrain, is that of the Ancient Versions. But a reference to the murrain is out of place here, where the Psalmist is clearly describing the culmination of the plagues in the destruction of the firstborn. He emphasises the fact that after minor plagues had failed to touch Pharaoh’s conscience, God finally attacked the very lives of the Egyptians.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:50
He made a way to his anger - Margin, he weighed a path. He leveled a path for it; he took away all hindrance to it; he allowed it to have free scope. The idea of weighing is not in the original.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 78:50
49, 50. Evil angels—That is, good angels as the executioners of evil, as 2 Kings 19:34; 1 Chronicles 21:15. It is better to understand it thus than to personify the physical causes of the plague.
Sermons on Psalms 78:50
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Homily 43 on the Acts of the Apostles by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches on the events in Acts 20:1-16, focusing on Paul's journey through Macedonia and Greece, emphasizing the importance of preaching and comforting believers am |
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Jude #4 - Sodom and Gomorrah by Chuck Missler | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the violence and indulgences of the flesh that are often portrayed in entertainment. He emphasizes the need for Christians to re-examine the |
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The Lord Has Promised to Deliver You by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker begins by reading verses from Psalm 34 that emphasize the theme of deliverance. He then prays for an anointing and discusses how God deals with violence |
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Prophets Who Are False and the One That Is True by L.R. Shelton Jr | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding God's judgment and the consequences of sin. He highlights the need to preach the truth, even if it is diffic |
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Three Warnings and the Remedy by L.R. Shelton Jr | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on three warnings given in 2 Peter 2:4-6. These warnings are set forth as examples of sin and destruction. The preacher emphasizes God's hatred |
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The Lord Knoweth How to Deliver the Godly by L.R. Shelton Jr | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the power of God to deliver His people from temptation and to punish the unjust. He emphasizes that the sovereign God of the Bible is all-pow |
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The Dawkind Delusion by Neale Brinkley | In this sermon, the speaker contrasts the viewpoint of Dawkins and his group with the message offered by the Bible. The Bible is presented as a source of hope and a solution to the |