Psalms 79

The Church of God bewaileth the extreme cruelty of the enemies, which had destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, and entreateth him, that forgetting and forgiving their sins, he would for his own glories sake, graciously and speedily deliver them, and punish the enemies, to the everlasting praise of his Name.

1. A Psalm of Asaph: [See Psalm 50.on v.1.] O God, Heathens are come into thine inheritance; [understand the land of Canaan, and more particularly Jerusalem: See Psal.68.on ver.10.] they have defiled the Temple of thy holiness: [i.e. thine holy Temple.] They have set Jerusalem to a stoneheap.

2. They have given the dead bodies [Heb. The dead body, or corps, as below v.11. of the prisoners, i.e. of the prisoners; as frequently elsewhere.] of thy servants to the foul of heaven; the flesh of thy favourites, [See Psalm 4.on v.4.] to the beasts of the land.

3. They have shedeth their blood round about Jerusalem, like water, and there was none to bury them.

4. We are become a reproach to our neighbours; [See Psalms 80:7. and compare Psalms 137:7. Ezek.35.ver.2.12,13,15.] a mock and sport to them that are round about us.

5. How long LORD? Wilt thou be wroth forever? [Or, how long LORD wilt thou be wroth continually? Of the word forever, or eternities; See Psal.13.on v.2.] shall thy jealousy burn like fire? [see Exodus 10.on verse 5.]

6. Pour out thy fierceness over the heathen; that do not know thee: [As water is poured out; see Hosea 5:10. i.e. let thy judgement surprise and fall upon them on a sudden abundantly and powerfully: compare Psalms 69:25. Isa.42.15. Jer.7.v.20. and 10 25. Ezek.7. verse 8. And 20.33.34. Revel 16.1. etc. What it is, not to know God: See Job 18.on v.21. though here it hath a special regard to the general idolatrous condition of the heathen in matters of Religion, who neither know, nor serve God.] and over the kingdoms, which do not call upon thy Name.

7. For they have [Heb. He hath, etc. i.e. every one of them hath, &c.] eaten up Jacob; [compare Deut.7.on verse 16. And Psal.14.on v.4.] and they have laid waste his pleasant habitation.

8. Remember not unto us [Others against us: compare Jer.22.and see Jer.31.34. Ezek.18.22. and the contrary, Jer.14.10. Hos.6.13. and 9.9. and besides the manner of speaking, Gen.8.on v.1. or the misdeeds of the former ones, i.e. our forefathers.] the former misdeed; haste thee, let thy mercies prevent us; for we are grown very thin: [exhausted, consumed, become very mean.]

9. Help us, O God of our salvation, because of the honour of thy Name: and rescue us, and make atonement; [or, cover graciously; compare Psalm 65.on v.4.] over our sins for thy Names sake.

10. Why should the heathen say: where is their God? Let the revenge of the shed blood of thy servants be known, [Or acknowledged] among the heathen before our eyes: [Others, let him (our God) be known (or acknowledged) among the heathen, through (or by) the revenge of &c. Compare Deut.32.42,43. Jer.51.36,37.]

11. Let the groaning of the prisoners; [Heb. Prisoner, see above, v.2.] come before thee, keep over (or spare) [Let them be preserved or kept alive] the children of death, [i.e. those which are appointed or condemned to death, as evil doers: see 2 Sam.12.1.5. and Prov.31.on v.8. according to the greatness of thine arm: [i.e. according to thy great power and might: See Psalms 77:16. and Job 40.on v.4.]

12. And render to our neighbours sevenfold [See Gen. 4.on v.15. and Psalm.12.oon v.7.] into their bosome. [i.e. abundantly, and so that they may feel it, and it may stick upon them: So Isa.65.7. Jer.32.18. Luke 6:38.] the reproach O LORD, wherewith they have reproached thee.

13. So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture shall praise thee forever, from generation to generation; [Heb. In generation] we shall recount thy praise.