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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 79:13

Verse 13 In the last verse, the pious Jews declare that the fruit of their deliverance will be, that the name of God will be celebrated; and we ought not to desire our preservation or welfare for any other end. When he freely bestows upon us all things, the design for which he does this is, that his goodness may be made known and exalted. Now, these sufferers engage to make a grateful acknowledgement of their deliverance, and declare that this will not be done merely for a short time, but that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:1

O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance (comp. Psalms 74:2 ; Psalms 78:62 ). Israel—alike the people and the land—is "God's inheritance." Thy holy temple have they defiled . The Babylonians defiled the temple by breaking into it, seizing its treasures and ornaments ( Jeremiah 52:17-23 ), and finally setting fire to it ( Jeremiah 52:13 ). They have laid Jerusalem on heaps. This was certainly not done either by Shishak or by Antiochus Epiphanes; but was done, as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:1-4

Times of persecution. Such times have been repeated over and over again. They must be recognized as parts of the Divine administration, and we must inquire how they are made to bear on the spiritual interests of God's Church in the world. They are not merely historical incidents. They are not merely isolated calamities. They are only seen and apprehended aright when they are seen to be Divine permissions, and even taken up and used for high moral ends by Divine power. They are one form in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:1-13

The psalm consists of four strophes of four verses each, together with an epilogue consisting of one verse only. In Psalms 74:1-4 the situation is described. In Psalms 74:5-8 and Psalms 74:9-12 prayer is made to God for deliverance, and for vengeance upon the cruel enemy. Psalms 74:13 is an expression of confidence in God, and a promise of perpetual thankfulness. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:1-13

An imprecatory psalm. We need not be at pains to fix the date of this psalm, whether it belongs to the period of the Exile or of Antiochus Epiphanes. The words to some extent suit either. But we note in it— I. WHAT IS RIGHT FOR EVERY ONE . The writer is in sore trouble, but he takes his trouble to God. One purpose of all such trouble has already been won—the heart has been brought nearer God. II. WHAT WAS NATURAL AND NOT WRONG FOR ISRAEL , BUT WOULD ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:1-13

Prayer for deliverance from suffering. "Written in a time of the deepest distress; the city is desolate and the whole nation oppressed by the cruel thraldom of their heathen oppressors. They are apparently deserted by God, and their bitterness enhanced by the feeling that God was exacting from them the penalty for the iniquity of their forefathers." I. SUFFERING . 1 . God ' s Church seemed in danger of being entirely overthrown. ( Psalms 79:1-5 .) Nothing causes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:2

The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to Be meat unto the fowls of the heaven. A common incident of warfare (see the Assyrian sculptures, passim ) . The flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth; or, of the land. Hyaenas and jackals would dispute the flesh of the slain with vultures and crows. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:3

Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem. During the long siege (eighteen months) the number slain in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem would be very large. And there was none to bury them (compare the prophecy of Jeremiah, Jeremiah 14:16 ). The population being for the most part carried into captivity, and but few left in the land ( Jeremiah 52:15 , Jeremiah 52:16 ), the bodies of the slain lay unburied, the few left not being able to bury them. Compare the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:4

We are become a reproach to our neighbours . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:5

How long, Lord? i.e. "How long, O Lord, is this condition of things to endure?" (comp. Psalms 6:5 ; Psalms 90:13 ; Revelation 6:10 ). An ellipse after "how long?" is common. Wilt thou be angry forever? (see Psalms 13:1 ; Psalms 74:12 ; Lamentations 5:20 ). Shall thy jealousy burn like fire? It was their worship of other gods that God especially visited on his people by the Babylonish captivity (see Jeremiah, passim ) . read more

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