Bible Commentaries
Psalms 79

Verse 1

Title. A Psalm. Hebrew mizmor. See App-65 .

of Asaph. The eighth of the twelve Asaph Psalms. Compare Psalms 74:0 , the second of the third book. See App-10 . The Psalm is said to have "hardly any regular strophical divisions". But see the Structure above.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

heathen = nations.

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

temple. See 1 Kings 14:25 , 1Ki 14:26 ; 2 Chronicles 12:2-10 . Pillaged, but not destroyed.

on heaps = in ruins. Compare the prophecy in Micah 3:12 .

Verse 2

saints = men of Thy lovingkindness, or gracious ones, or beloved.

Verse 3

shed = poured out. Compare same word in Psalms 79:6 .

Verse 5

How long . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Compare (Psalms 79:5 ) with (Psalms 79:10 ).

Verse 6

Pour out. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 . See note on "shed", Psalms 79:3 .

not known Thee. Compare Jeremiah 10:25 .

Verse 7

they have. So some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate. Compare Jeremiah 10:25 . But other codices read "he hath": i.e. the enemy.

Jacob. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for the riches of his descendants.

dwelling place = pasture.

Verse 8

iniquities. Hebrew. 'avah. App-44 .

prevent us = come to meet us. Eng. usage changed. Original sense obsolete.

Verse 9

purge away = cover, or atone for. Hebrew. kaphar. See note on Exodus 29:33 .

Thy name's sake = Thine own sake. See Psalms 20:1 .

Verse 10

Wherefore . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Compare Psalms 79:5 .

By. Supply Ellipsis from the preceding line: "[Let] the avenging . . . [be known]", &c.

Verse 11

Thy power. Hebrew Thine arm. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 , for the power contained in and put forth by it. By Figure of speech Anthropopatheia ( App-6 ), an "arm" attributed to God.

preserve = reserve.

those that are appointed to die = sons of death. Genitive of Relation. Compare Romans 8:36 .

Verse 13

To the chief Musician. See App-64 .