Psalms 79

Psalms 79:1-4

1. A lament over Jerusalem’s destruction 79:1-4 Enemies had invaded Israel, defiled the temple, destroyed Jerusalem, and left the bodies of Israel’s soldiers unburied. To lie unburied, like an animal for which no one cared, was the final humiliation. Consequently, God’s inheritance had become an object of derision for her neighbors.

“The issue here is not God’s justice in judging his people but the means used by the Lord [cf. Habakkuk 1-2]. The pagans must be held accountable for their desecration of the holy people and the holy temple so that they may be restored and God’s people no longer experience defilement and disgrace (cf. Isaiah 35:8; Isaiah 52:1).” [Note: VanGemeren, p. 519.

Psalms 79:5-9

The psalmist wondered how long God would be angry with His people and allow them to suffer defeat and humiliation. Would He let His jealousy for Israel’s affection burn as a fire forever? Asaph urged God to direct His rage at Israel’s enemies who disregarded Him and devoured His habitation. He also asked God to forget the sins of the Israelites’ ancestors and show compassion on His lowly people. He based his petition on God’s glory as well as the Israelites’ need.

Psalms 79:10-12

Asaph continued to appeal for physical salvation on the basis of God’s honor. He asked for vengeance against the enemy that had slain many of God’s elect. He urged God to answer the prayers of the prisoners who appealed to Him for deliverance. He wanted a thorough repayment of the reproach the enemy had heaped on Yahweh’s name because the Lord had not given Israel victory. “Such a prayer may trouble us, and we would not think to pray that way very often, but it is thoroughly biblical. The speaker is honest enough to know that yearning, and the speaker is faithful enough to submit the yearning to “God.” [Note: Brueggemann, p. 72.

Psalms 79:13

3. A promise of future praise 79:13 The psalmist promised that God’s people would reward Him with unceasing praise if He would give them deliverance. He viewed the people as God’s helpless sheep. He said their praise for this salvation would be public from then on.

“The cross of Jesus Christ is for us today the only evidence we need that God loves us (Romans 5:8).” [Note: Wiersbe, The . . . Wisdom . . ., p. 235. It is appropriate to petition God for vengeance when enemies defeat God’s people and consequently make Him look bad. He will deliver eventually because He has promised to preserve His own. However, discipline may continue a long time if sin has been gross.