What does Psalms 79:1 mean?
"O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps." - Psalms 79:1
Psalms 79:1 (KJV) says, "O god, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps."
Psalms 79 is a lamentation over the destruction of Jerusalem and the desecration of the temple by foreign invaders. The psalm is attributed to Asaph and was likely written after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The themes of lament, pleading for God's mercy, and a desire for justice are prevalent throughout the psalm.
The opening verse sets the tone for the entire psalm. It starts with a cry to God, addressing Him as the God of Israel and acknowledging the desecration of His inheritance. The use of the term "heathen" in this context refers to the Gentile nations or non-Israelite people who have come into the land of Israel and defiled it. The reference to "thine inheritance" and "thy holy temple" emphasizes the sacredness of the land and the place of worship. The temple was the central place of Jewish worship and the physical manifestation of God's presence among the people. The defilement of the temple symbolized the desecration of the covenant relationship between God and His people.
The phrase "they have laid Jerusalem on heaps" paints a vivid picture of the destruction and devastation wrought by the invading forces. The once great and glorious city of Jerusalem lay in ruins, its buildings reduced to heaps of rubble. This imagery conveys the magnitude of the destruction and the sense of hopelessness and despair experienced by the psalmist and the Israelite community.
The context of this psalm is important for understanding its significance. The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple had far-reaching implications for the Israelites. It not only resulted in physical devastation but also challenged their faith and identity as God's chosen people. The invasion and desecration of the temple were seen as a sign of God's judgment and abandonment of His people. The psalmist's plea for God's mercy and intervention reflects the desperate longing for restoration and the assurance of God's faithfulness to His promises.
The symbolism in this verse is profound. The land of Israel and the temple were symbolic of God's presence and blessing. The invasion and defilement by foreign nations symbolized the intrusion of evil and the disruption of the divine order. The desecration of the temple represented a breach in the relationship between God and His people. The imagery of Jerusalem in ruins evoked a sense of loss and desolation, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The themes of lament and plea for justice are universal and timeless. The psalm reflects the human experience of suffering, loss, and the longing for restoration. It resonates with individuals and communities who have experienced devastation and seek solace and hope in the midst of despair.
In conclusion, Psalms 79:1 is a poignant expression of grief and anguish over the destruction of Jerusalem and the desecration of the temple. It conveys a deep sense of loss and a fervent plea for God's mercy and intervention. The verse serves as a reminder of the enduring significance of faith, hope, and the quest for divine justice in the face of adversity. The themes of the psalm continue to resonate with believers today, offering comfort and reassurance in times of trial and tribulation.
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Psalms 79:1 - "O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps."
"O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps." - Psalms 79:1
Psalms 79:7 - "For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place."
Psalms 79:3 - "Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them."
Psalms 79:4 - "We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us."
Psalms 119:79 - "Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies."
Psalms 79:5 - "How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?"
Psalms 79:12 - "And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord."
"Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies." - Psalms 119:79
Psalms 79:11 - "Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;"
"How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?" - Psalms 79:5
Psalms 79:6 - "Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name."
"And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord." - Psalms 79:12
Psalms 79:8 - "O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low."
"For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place." - Psalms 79:7
Psalms 79:13 - "So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations."
Psalms 79:10 - "Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed."
"Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name." - Psalms 79:6
"O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low." - Psalms 79:8
"Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake." - Psalms 79:9
"We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us." - Psalms 79:4
"Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them." - Psalms 79:3
1 Chronicles 6:79 - "Kedemoth also with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs:"
"Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;" - Psalms 79:11
"The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth." - Psalms 79:2
Luke 1:79 - "To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
"So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations." - Psalms 79:13
"Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed." - Psalms 79:10
"Kedemoth also with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs:" - 1 Chronicles 6:79
psalm 80:1-7