Psalm 79

1. What do I do when it seems that God just does not care? Psalm 79 is written from this perspective. Most agree that the psalm was written as a lament upon the destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar. The psalmist seems to think that God was aloof during that time, but that God will soon act. He calls the nation to come back to a relationship with God and to repent of what caused this destruction in the first place.

2. Verse 1 contains the words that lead one to believe that Asaph has the destruction of temple in mind. He specifically mentions the temple, but his wording is what causes some to say this is not the destruction of it (“They have defiled Your holy temple”). More than likely, the destruction is what he is talking about. Either way, God’s people have been overrun by an enemy, and the psalmist knows things must change.

3. Verse 2 mentions that some of the people who have died are faithful to God (“Your godly ones”). When disaster or war occurs, some who are disciples will perish or be greatly hurt. It is sad to think about, but the righteous suffer here on the earth, too, and sometimes they suffer because of the evil around them.

4. How bad was this destruction and the loss of life? People perished and “there was no one to bury them” (verse 3). This could also be speaking of how ruthless the destroyers were. They could have had so little regard for the nation of Israel that they just did not bury the dead.

5. Verse 4 contains the concluding thoughts of this loss. Other nations are now deriding the people of God because they have been destroyed. In former times, this nation completely ran over others to take the Promised Land, now they are being run out of it.

6. And then, the question: “How long, O Lord? Will You be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?”(verse 5) The implication is that God has not acted because He is angry with His people. While that may be partially true, it is also true that God was acting. He was allowing His people to suffer so they might learn (again) to serve Him.

7. In verse 6, as has been done more than once in the psalms, Asaph says to God that they are His people, and the enemies are not. He is “reminding” God of the covenant between the people and God. He goes all the way back to Jacob and his relationship with God in verse 7.

8. Verses 8 and 9 contain a great prayer to God. First, Asaph pleads with God that He will not punish the people now because of the sins of those who came before. Then he asks God to save the people so that God’s Name could once again be glorified. Finally, Asaph prays that the sins of the people will be forgiven. While the prayer may seem to come at a time of desperation, the words are beautifully put forth.

9. In verse 10, the same thought is put forth. If God’s people continue to lose battles and be destroyed, how can God be praised? Asaph is wanting restoration of the people so that God will be put in His proper place before all nations of the earth.

10. In verse 12, Asaph calls for God to act against the enemies. Usually in the Psalms, there is a plea for those who are enemies of God to receive back what they have done. Asaph, though, goes a step further, asking God to give seven times back!

11. As have several psalms previous, Psalm 79 ends with a promise to God that the people will praise and honor Him if He acts in this way. They will tell of His works to all their descendants.