Psalms 79

Psalms 79:1

Title. Of Asaph] Or, for Asaph.

THe heathen are come into thine inheritance] The people cry unto God against the barbarous tyranny of the Babylonians: who spoiled Gods inheritance, polluted his temple, destroyed his religion, and murdered his people.

thy holy temple have they defiled] Psalms 74:7.

Psalms 79:2

The dead bodies of thy servants] The prophet sheweth, to what extremities God suffereth sometime his church to fall, to exercise their faith, before he set to his hand to deliver them.

fowls of the heaven] Psalms 74:14.

Psalms 79:3

there was none to bury them] Their friends and kinsfolk durst not bury them, for fear of the enemies: or, there were so many slain, that the living sufficed not to bury the dead.

Psalms 79:4

We are become a reproach to our neighhours] Psalms 44:14.

a reproach to our neighbours] Whereof some came of Abraham, but were degenerate: and others were open enemies to thy religion; but they both laughed at our miseries,

Psalms 79:5

How long, Lord?] Psalms 89:46.

shall thy jealousie burn like fire?] Wilt thou utterly consume us for our sins, before thou takest us to mercy?

Psalms 79:6

Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee] Jere. 10. 25.

Psalms 79:7

For they have devoured Jacob] Heb. He: That is, every one of them: or, the devourer hath devoured.

Psalms 79:8

O remember not against us former iniquities] Isaiah 64:9. Which we and our fathers have committed.

former iniquities] Or, the iniquities of them that were before us.

let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us] And stay not till we be overwhelmed with our troubles.

Psalms 79:9

O God of our salvation] Seeing we have none other Saviour, neither can we help our selves, and also by our deliverance, thy name shall be praised, Therefore, O LORD, help us.

names sake] Joshua 7:9.

Psalms 79:10

Where is there God?] Psalms 42:10. and Psalms 115:2.

revenging] Heb. vengeance.

revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed] Psalms 58:10.

Psalms 79:11

Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee] Who though in respect of God they were justly punished for their sins, yet in consideration of their cause were unjustly vexed.

thy power] Heb. thine arm.

preserve thou those that are appointed to die] Heb. reserve the children of death.

those that are appointed to die] Which were captives among their enemies, and could look for nothing but death, Psalms 44:22.

Psalms 79:12

into their bsome] Isai. 65. 6, 7.

Psalms 79:13

sheep of thy pasture] Psalms 95:7. and Psalms 100:3.

we will shew forth thy praise to all generations] Heb. number. That is, record the particular benefits, for which thou art to be praised. We ought to desire no benefit of God, but on this condition, To praise his Name, Isai 43. 21.

to all generations] Heb. to generation and generation.