Psalms 78:61
And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּתֵּ֣ן
And delivered
H5414
וַיִּתֵּ֣ן
And delivered
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 6
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לַשְּׁבִ֣י
into captivity
H7628
לַשְּׁבִ֣י
into captivity
Strong's:
H7628
Word #:
2 of 6
exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty
עֻזּ֑וֹ
his strength
H5797
עֻזּ֑וֹ
his strength
Strong's:
H5797
Word #:
3 of 6
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
וְֽתִפְאַרְתּ֥וֹ
and his glory
H8597
וְֽתִפְאַרְתּ֥וֹ
and his glory
Strong's:
H8597
Word #:
4 of 6
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
Historical Context
The battle of Aphek (1050 BC) saw Israel's crushing defeat, Eli's sons killed, and the ark captured. Eli died upon hearing the news; his daughter-in-law named her son Ichabod ('no glory'), saying 'The glory is departed from Israel' (1 Samuel 4:21). This crisis prompted Israel's demand for a king.
Questions for Reflection
- How do believers sometimes treat church attendance or religious symbols superstitiously, like Israel trusted the ark?
- What does God's willingness to let His 'strength' be captured teach about His priorities for heart devotion over external forms?
- In what ways did the cross look like God's 'glory delivered into enemy hands' but actually accomplish victory?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand. This verse describes the ark's capture—called his strength (uzzo, עֻזּוֹ) and his glory (tifareto, תִּפְאַרְתּוֹ). The ark symbolized God's powerful presence and covenant glory. Its capture by uncircumcised Philistines (1 Samuel 4:10-11) represented devastating humiliation for both Israel and, seemingly, for Yahweh Himself.
Delivered...into captivity (vayyitten lashevi, וַיִּתֵּן לַשֶּׁבִי) shocks—God actively gave up His own glory-throne. This wasn't divine defeat but judicial abandonment. God allowed His sanctuary symbols to be profaned to demonstrate that external religious forms without heart faithfulness mean nothing. Israel's superstitious trust in the ark as magical talisman proved hollow.
Yet even in judgment, God's glory couldn't be truly captured. The ark brought plagues on Philistia (1 Samuel 5), forcing its return. This anticipates the crucifixion—Jesus' apparent defeat actually accomplished victory over sin, death, and Satan (Colossians 2:15). God's strength looks like weakness to human eyes.