Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 79

Click here to read PSALM 79 in poetic form.

Background

Psalm 79 is in the Leviticus book of the Psalms (73—89). The Old Testament book of Leviticus focuses on matters in the sanctuary: the priesthood, ceremonial laws, and feasts. Almost all of these 17 Psalms mention the sanctuary and God’s relation to it. This Psalm shows God’s enemies in the sanctuary.

This Psalm has the title “of Asaph.” Psalm 50 in the Exodus book of the Psalms also has this title. There are 11 Psalms (73-83) with this title in the Leviticus book of Psalms. Regarding Asaph, Nehemiah 7:44 speaks of “The singers: the children of Asaph.” They were responsible for worship in the Temple. For further study on Asaph, see II Kings 18:18,37; I Chronicles 6:39; 9:15; 15:17,19; 16:5,7,37; 25:1,2,6,9; 26:1; II Chronicles 5:12; 20:14; 29:13,30; 35:15; Ezra 2:41; 3:10; Nehemiah 2:8; 7:44; 11:17,22; 12:35,46; Psalms 50:1; 73:1; 74:1; 75:1; 76:1; 77:1; 78:1; 79:1; 80:1; 81:1; 82:1; 83:1; Isaiah 36:3,22.

Structure

(Verses 1-4) Attacks from neighboring people

(Verses 5-10) Prayer for God’s merciful help

(Verses 11-13) God’s victory over neighboring people

Key Scriptures

Verses 1,3,7—“the heathen are come into thine inheritance,” “blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem,” “laid waste his dwelling place.” These verses fit with the major theme of the Messiah’s enemies attacking the sanctuary.

Verse 10—“revenging of the blood of thy servants.” God is the only just One worthy of bringing justice and true vengeance. David knew this. Psalms 18:47: “It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.” Psalms 94:1: “O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.” God has committed future judgment to His Son, Jesus Christ. Acts 10:42: “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he [Jesus Christ] which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick [living] and dead.” John 5:27: “And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”

Verse 13—“So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever.” As a Psalm of Asaph (like Psalm 50), this Psalm recounts God’s care for His people the way a shepherd watches over a helpless flock. The Psalmist recognized that without God’s help and protection, the enemies’ attacks would be deadly. See “Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 23” for more details on God as the Shepherd, and His Son, Jesus Christ the good shepherd. See also “Jesus Christ: “I am” in the Gospel of John, Part 1.”

FOR FURTHER STUDY

All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!

The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.