Bible Commentaries
Psalms 79

Introduction

BOOK II.— PSS. XLII.– LXXII.

Psalms 42-83 are Elohistic, i.e. they use the word God (Elohim) and avoid the proper name Yahweh, probably from motives of reverence. Here and there, however, the name Yahweh has crept into the text by a natural slip of the scribes.

Verses 1-13

LXXIX. The Sanctuary Profaned.— The Ps. is of the same date as Psalms 74. It does not suit the earlier destruction of the city and the Temple in 586 B.C. The words “ war,” “ overthrow,” and the like do not occur: the Temple is profaned, not destroyed. On the other hand, Psalms 79:3 is in striking accord with the picture drawn in 1Ma_1:37 . Notice also the mention of the godly or Asideans in 2 (see Psalms 4:3).

Psalms 79:2 f. is quoted in 1Ma_7:17 .

Psalms 79:6 f. is from Jeremiah 10:25, and was perhaps inserted here by a later hand.

Psalms 79:11 . preserve: read, “ loose.”

Psalms 79:12 . The eastern flowing lobes were well adapted for carrying burdens in the front folds (see Isaiah 65:6, Jeremiah 32:18, Luke 6:38).