PSALM PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 79:1. This is a community lament. It was occasioned by a great disaster, most likely the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon. It has many similarities to Psalms 74:1. It recounts the violence and unbelief of the Gentile conquerors and asks God how long he intends to allow... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 79:5 The right question is not, “How long will you let us suffer like this?” After all, they suffer because God is ANGRY about their unfaithfulness. Rather, the question is, “How long will you allow the NATIONS, who DO NOT KNOW YOU, to get away with what they have done?” Even th... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 79:8 The singer now faces the basic problem: God’s people have been untrue to him and must seek his forgiveness. The psalm weaves two themes together. The first is the understandable desire for relief (WE ARE BROUGHT VERY LOW; DELIVER US). The second is the desire, born of true... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 79:11 Verses Psalms 79:8 prayed for forgiveness. Here, the effect of that forgiveness is that God will PRESERVE THOSE of his people who are DOOMED TO DIE. Verse Psalms 79:13 looks forward to the granting of forgiveness, and pledges that WE YOUR PEOPLE... WILL GIVE THANKS TO YOU... [ Continue Reading ]