Psalm 79

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 79:7

For they have devoured Jacob ,.... The posterity of Jacob, the people of the Jews, typical of the church of God, made havoc of by the Romish antichrist: and laid waste his dwelling place; both Jerusalem and the temple, which was done both by the Chaldeans and the Romans, and also in the times of Antiochus; see the Apocrypha: "38 Insomuch that the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them: whereupon the city was made an habitation of strangers, and became strange to those that were born... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 79:8

O remember not against us former iniquities ,.... Or, "our ancient iniquities", as the Septuagint; the most ancient sin of all is that of our first parents, in which we are involved, and by which we are made sinners; and for which judgment comes upon all men; and from thence flows the corruption of nature, or that original sin of our nature in which we are all conceived and born, and so are transgressors from the womb; or iniquities of former times, of our youth, as Kimchi, sins done of old,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 79:9

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name ,.... Help us out of the troubles in which we are; enable us to bear them with patience, and without murmuring, while it is thy pleasure to continue them; assist us against our powerful enemies, and strengthen us to do our duty; afford us more grace, and fresh supplies of it in our time of need: the arguments enforcing these petitions are, because God is "the God of salvation", to whom it belongs, of whom it is, and of him only to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 79:10

Wherefore should the Heathen say, where is their God ?.... They boast of, and put their confidence in, and expect salvation from? he does not appear for them, he is not with them; he has forsaken them, and will not help them; than which nothing can be more afflicting and distressing to the Lord's people; see Psalm 42:3 , let him be known among the Heathen in our sight ; in his holiness and justice, as a God of power, and to whom vengeance belongs; let him be known by his judgments... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 79:11

Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee ,.... Such as were so in a literal or spiritual sense; and the sighs and groans of such are not hid from the Lord; they come up into his ears as did the sighing and groaning of the children of Israel when in Egypt, Exodus 2:23 , according to the greatness of thy power, preserve thou those that are appointed to die ; not by the Lord, as all men are, but by men; who are under a sentence of condemnation, who are ready to die, being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 79:12

And render unto our neighbours seven fold into their bosom , Not seven fold for one, as the Targum paraphrases it, or a seven fold punishment for one sin; but that he would recompense their sins, or punish for them, and take vengeance on them, largely, abundantly, though not beyond measure, or exceeding the rules of justice; see Genesis 4:15 , the reproach with which they have reproached thee, O Lord ; by denying his being, or calling in question his perfections of power, truth, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 79:13

So we thy people, and sheep of thy pasture ,.... Who were the people of God, not by creation and providence only, as all men are, being his creatures, and provided for by him; but by special choice, and by covenant grace: and "the sheep of his pasture"; whom he feeds as a shepherd does his flock, provides good pasture for them, and leads them into it: will give thee thanks for ever, we will show forth thy praise to all generations : the above petitions being answered and fulfilled; the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 79

The psalmist complains of the cruelty of his enemies and the desolations of Jerusalem, and prays against them, Psalm 79:1-7 . He prays for the pardon and restoration of his people, and promises gratitude and obedience, Psalm 79:8-13 . The title, A Psalm of Asaph, must be understood as either applying to a person of the name of Asaph who lived under the captivity; or else to the family of Asaph; or to a band of singers still bearing the name of that Asaph who flourished in the days of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 79:1

The heathen are come into thine inheritance - Thou didst cast them out, and take thy people in; they have cast us out, and now taken possession of the land that belongs to thee. They have defiled the temple, and reduced Jerusalem to a heap of ruins; and made a general slaughter of thy people. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 79:2

The dead bodies of thy servants - It appears that in the destruction of Jerusalem the Chaldeans did not bury the bodies of the slain, but left them to be devoured by birds and beasts of prey. This was the grossest inhumanity. read more

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