Psalms 79:6
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Psalms 79:6
6 Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
Chapter Context
Psalms 79 is a poetic and liturgical chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of discipleship, mercy, prayer. Written during various periods (c. 1000-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Temple worship utilized these compositions across various periods of Israel's history.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-13: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Psalms and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Psalms 79:6
6 Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
Analysis
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.
Reflection
- How should Christians today pray regarding violent persecution of believers by hostile regimes and terrorist groups?
- What is the difference between praying for justice (like this psalm) and harboring personal revenge in the heart?
- How does Jesus's command to love enemies and pray for persecutors relate to imprecatory psalms that pray for judgment on enemies?
Word Studies
- Wrath: אַף (Aph) H2534 - Wrath, anger
Cross-References
- Kingdom: 2 Thessalonians 1:8
- Judgment: Psalms 69:24
- Parallel theme: Psalms 14:4, 53:4, Jeremiah 10:25