Psalms 79:6

Authorized King James Version

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Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

Original Language Analysis

שְׁפֹ֤ךְ Pour out H8210
שְׁפֹ֤ךְ Pour out
Strong's: H8210
Word #: 1 of 13
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
חֲמָתְךָ֙ thy wrath H2534
חֲמָתְךָ֙ thy wrath
Strong's: H2534
Word #: 2 of 13
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
אֶֽל H413
אֶֽל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 13
near, with or among; often in general, to
הַגּוֹיִם֮ upon the heathen H1471
הַגּוֹיִם֮ upon the heathen
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 4 of 13
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁ֪ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֪ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 5 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְדָ֫ע֥וּךָ that have not known H3045
יְדָ֫ע֥וּךָ that have not known
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 7 of 13
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וְעַ֥ל H5921
וְעַ֥ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 8 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מַמְלָכ֑וֹת thee and upon the kingdoms H4467
מַמְלָכ֑וֹת thee and upon the kingdoms
Strong's: H4467
Word #: 9 of 13
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּ֝שִׁמְךָ֗ upon thy name H8034
בְּ֝שִׁמְךָ֗ upon thy name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 11 of 13
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 12 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
קָרָֽאוּ׃ that have not called H7121
קָרָֽאוּ׃ that have not called
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 13 of 13
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

Analysis & Commentary

Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name. This imprecatory prayer requests divine judgment redirect from Israel to pagan nations. The imperative "pour out" (shefokh, שְׁפֹךְ) deliberately echoes verse 3's language of blood being "poured out" like water. The psalmist asks God to pour His wrath as abundantly as enemies poured Israelite blood—a plea for proportional justice.

The phrase "that have not known thee" (lo yeda'ukha, לֹא יְדָעוּךָ) identifies the theological difference: Israel's sin is covenant violation by those who know God, while the nations' sin is covenant ignorance combined with arrogant violence against God's people. "Known" uses yada (יָדַע), indicating relational knowledge, not mere awareness. The nations haven't experienced covenant relationship with Yahweh and therefore attacked His people without fear of consequences.

"Kingdoms that have not called upon thy name" (al-shemekha lo qara'u, עַל־שִׁמְךָ לֹא קָרָאוּ) emphasizes that these empires worship false gods while simultaneously desecrating Yahweh's name through violence against His people. The request isn't personal revenge but theological justice: vindicate Your name, demonstrate that You defend those who belong to You, and prove that attacking Your people incurs divine wrath. This anticipates Romans 12:19's principle: vengeance belongs to God, not human agents.

Historical Context

This prayer reflects ancient Israel's understanding of divine justice in international relations. Surrounding nations—Babylon, Edom, Moab—celebrated Jerusalem's destruction (Psalm 137:7; Obadiah 1:10-14). These nations worshiped pagan deities and viewed Israel's defeat as religious triumph. The psalmist appeals to God to vindicate His reputation by judging those who mocked Him through attacking His people. Prophetic books (Isaiah 13-23; Jeremiah 46-51) contain extensive oracles against nations, demonstrating this expectation of divine justice.

Questions for Reflection