Psalms 79:6

Authorized King James Version

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

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

Analysis

This verse develops the worship and praise theme central to Psalms. The concept of kingdom reflects the proper human response to God's character and works. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to worship literature expressing the full range of human experience before God, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern poetry and hymnic literature for worship shapes this text's meaning. Israel's liturgical traditions developed through centuries of temple worship and personal devotion Understanding a worldview centered on covenant relationship between God and His people helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes kingdom in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection