Psalms 79

How Long, O Lord?

1 O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holyHoly: קָדוֹשׁ (Qadosh). The Hebrew qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) means holy or set apart—separated from common use for God's purposes. God is 'the Holy One of Israel,' utterly distinct from creation in moral perfection. temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps. References God: 2 Chronicles 36:19. References Jerusalem: Jeremiah 26:18, Micah 3:12. Temple: Lamentations 1:10

2 The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heavenHeaven: שָׁמַיִם (Shamayim). The Hebrew shamayim (שָׁמַיִם) means heaven or sky—God's dwelling place and the realm above earth. 'The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's' (Psalm 115:16), yet 'the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him' (1 Kings 8:27)., the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 28:26, Jeremiah 7:33, 16:4, 34:20

3 Their bloodBlood: דָּם (Dam). The Hebrew dam (דָּם) means blood—representing life itself. 'The life of the flesh is in the blood' (Leviticus 17:11), and blood was required for atonement, foreshadowing Christ's sacrifice. have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them. References Jerusalem: Jeremiah 14:16. Parallel theme: Jeremiah 16:4

4 We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us. Parallel theme: Psalms 80:6

5 How long, LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty.? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire? References Lord: Psalms 80:4, 89:46, Deuteronomy 29:20, Ezekiel 36:5, Zephaniah 3:8. Parallel theme: Psalms 74:1, 85:5 +2

6 Pour out thy wrathWrath: אַף (Aph). The Hebrew aph (אַף) literally means 'nose' or 'nostrils,' idiomatically expressing wrath or anger—God's righteous indignation against sin. Yet God is 'slow to anger' (Exodus 34:6) and 'abundant in mercy.' upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name. Kingdom: 2 Thessalonians 1:8. Judgment: Psalms 69:24. Parallel theme: Psalms 14:4, 53:4, Jeremiah 10:25

7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place. Parallel theme: Jeremiah 50:7, Zechariah 1:15

8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low. Parallel theme: Psalms 21:3, 25:7, 106:43, 116:6, 130:3, 142:6, Exodus 32:34, Isaiah 64:9, Hosea 9:9, Revelation 18:5 +5

9 Help us, O GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity. of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake. References God: 2 Chronicles 14:11. Sin: Psalms 25:11, 65:3, Isaiah 43:25, Jeremiah 14:7. Glory: Jeremiah 14:21. Parallel theme: Psalms 31:3, Isaiah 48:9, Ezekiel 20:9, 20:14 +5

10 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the bloodBlood: דָּם (Dam). The Hebrew dam (דָּם) means blood—representing life itself. 'The life of the flesh is in the blood' (Leviticus 17:11), and blood was required for atonement, foreshadowing Christ's sacrifice. of thy servants which is shed. References God: Psalms 42:3, 42:10, 94:1, 115:2, Exodus 6:7, Revelation 18:20. Parallel theme: Exodus 7:5 +2

11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die; Parallel theme: Psalms 12:5, 69:33, 102:20, Isaiah 33:2, 42:7, Matthew 6:13, Ephesians 3:20 +2

12 And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O LordLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty.. References Lord: Genesis 4:15, Jeremiah 32:18. Parallel theme: Leviticus 26:21, 26:28, Proverbs 6:31, Luke 6:38

13 So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations. Resurrection: Psalms 145:4, Isaiah 43:21. Parallel theme: Psalms 74:1, 95:7, 100:3