We are become a reproach to our neighbors - The Idumeans, Philistines, Phoenicians, Ammonites, and Moabites, all gloried in the subjugation of this people; and their insults to them were mixed with blasphemies against God. read more
How long, Lord? - Wilt thou continue thine anger against us, and suffer us to be insulted, and thyself blasphemed? read more
Pour out thy wrath - Bad as we are, we are yet less wicked than they. We, it is true, have been unfaithful; but they never knew thy name, and are totally abandoned to idolatry. read more
Laid waste his dwelling-place - The Chaldee understands this of the temple. This, by way of eminence, was Jacob's place. I have already remarked that these two verses are almost similar to Jeremiah 10:25 , which has led many to believe that Jeremiah was the author of this Psalm. read more
Remember not against us former iniquities - Visit us not for the sins of our forefathers. Speedily prevent us - Let them go before us, and turn us out of the path of destruction; for there is no help for us but in thee. We are brought very low - Literally, "We are greatly thinned." Few of us remain. read more
Purge away our sins - כפר capper , be propitiated, or receive an atonement ( חטאתינו על al chattotheynu ) on account of our sins. read more
Where is their God? - Show where thou art by rising up for our redemption, and the infliction of deserved punishment upon our enemies. read more
The sighing of the prisoner - The poor captive Israelites in Babylon, who sigh and cry because of their bondage. Those that are appointed to die - תמותה בני beney themuthah , "sons of death." Either those who were condemned to death because of their crimes, or condemned to be destroyed by their oppressors. Both these senses apply to the Israelites: they were sons of death, i.e., worthy of death because of their sins against God; they were condemned to death or utter destruction, by... read more
Sevenfold into their bosom - That is, Let them get in this world what they deserve for the cruelties they have inflicted on us. Let them suffer in captivity, who now have us in bondage. Probably this is a prediction. read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 79:3
There was none to bury them - The Chaldeans would not; and the Jews who were not slain were carried into captivity. read more