Bible Commentaries
Psalms 79

Verses 1-13

For the occasion and date of this Ps. see intro. to Psalms 74. It gives a pathetic picture of the calamities that have fallen upon God’s people (Psalms 79:1-4), entreats God to withdraw His anger from them, to forgive their sins, and to avenge them on the heathen (Psalms 79:5-12), that they may give Him perpetual praise (Psalms 79:13).

1. Jerusalem on heaps] This is truer of the Babylonian captivity than of the time of Antiochus Epiphanes.

6. Quoted from Jeremiah 10:25.

8. Former iniquities] RV ’the iniquities of our forefathers,’ which are regarded as justly punished by the present calamities. Prevent] in the Old English sense of ’go before,’ anticipate our need.

9. Here as in Psalms 74 God’s.regard for His own glory is the Psalmist’s chief plea.

10b. RV’Let the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed be known among the heathen in our sight.’

11. The sighing of the prisoner] Some of the people had been carried into captivity.

12. The prayer for vengeance expresses a moral sentiment less advanced than that of the NT. It springs, however, not from mere personal or national vindictiveness, but from a sincere religious indignation at the dishonour done to God’s name.