Psalm 79

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:5

Expected limitations of the Divine wrath. "How long, O Jehovah, wilt thou be angry forever?" The duration of Divine judgment may seem long to pious feeling; it is known not to be long, when faith begins to read it aright. The Divine wrath is ever in the control of the Divine righteousness and the Divine love. There is no personal feeling in it. When its ends are reached, the Divine wrath is satisfied. God's people may comfort themselves with the assurance that there are three... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:6

Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee . It is not the heathen that had never heard of God who are intended, but those who, having heard of him, had refused to "know" him (comp. Exodus 5:2 ), as was the case with all the nations round about Canaan. And upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy Name. Now that we are punished, go on to punish those who have persecuted us, and who are at least as guilty as ourselves. "The prayer rests," as Hengstenberg remarks,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:6-7

Praying against our enemies. The gravest difficulties in treating the Book of Psalms concern the entire psalms, and the passages in the psalms, which seem to be invocations of wrath on personal enemies. This is reasonably felt to be wholly contrary to the spirit of Christianity. It is not, however, usually noticed, that it is a hopeful sign for a man to speak his bad feelings out to God. He will do mischief if he speaks them out to his fellow men. He will do no mischief if he speaks them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:7

For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place. This and the preceding verso occur also, almost word for word, in Jeremiah 10:25 . It is difficult to say which writer has quoted from the other. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:8

O remember not against us former iniquities; or, the iniquities of our forefathers (so Professor Cheyne and the Revised Version); comp. Le 26:45, "I will remember to them the covenant of their ancestors"—where the same word ( רִאשֹׁגִים ) is used. Let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us; or, come to meet us (Kay, Cheyne). For we are brought very low (comp. Psalms 111:6 ; Psalms 142:6 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:8

Brought very low. I. THIS A CONDITION VERY COMMON . Sometimes it is through: 1 . Mental distress, helplessness, sorrow, despair. 2 . Or sickness of body, as Hezekiah. 3 . Or outward disaster, as in this psalm. II. ITS CAUSES GENERALLY TRACEABLE : 1 . To ourselves— our own sin or folly. 2 . To others with whom we are associated. See this verse, where "former iniquities" mean the iniquities of people who have lived before us. Parents,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:8

The trouble of our old sins. Prayer book Version, "Oh remember not our old sins." Because a man cannot forget his old sins, he is very disposed to think that God cannot forget them either. And this he will do in face of the repeated assurances of God's Word, that his forgiving includes his forgetting. Three very striking figures are used to assure us that God will not keep the memory of the sins which he has forgiven and blotted out. 1 . It is as if they were thrown "behind his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:9

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy Name. The calamities suffered have not extinguished all faith or hope. God is still the God of Israel's salvation, i.e. the God from whom alone salvation can be obtained and may be expected. He is entreated to come to Israel's aid, not for their sakes, as they are wholly undeserving, but for his own glory (comp. Exodus 32:12 ; Numbers 14:13 ; Deuteronomy 9:28 ; and Deuteronomy 32:27 ). And deliver us, and purge away our sins;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:9

For the glory of thy Name. The mariner throws out his heaviest anchor when the storm rages; if that will not hold, nothing else can save. So the psalmist puts out this plea. The tempest of judgment was sweeping over the land. The future was dark. Israel's unfaithfulness had forfeited God's promises. We have no certain clue to the exact occasion of this psalm. The Spirit who spake by the prophets would not tie it up to one time of trial, but let it stand ready for the Church's use. Serious... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:9

Purging away sins. "Deliver us, and purge away our sins;" "Cover our sins." The figure is evidently one familiar to those brought up under the old covenant system. In it the atonement idea was prominent, as a "covering over" of transgression. The two words are distinct, but closely related; and they suggested the two things which man needs to have done to his sin. It must I. OUR SIN MUST BE " COVERED OVER ." The Mosaic idea of the word "atonement" is very clearly defined.... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:6-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 79:9

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands