What does Psalms 79:12 mean?
"And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord." - Psalms 79:12
The verse Psalm 79:12 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord." This particular verse is a plea to God for justice and vengeance against the enemies of the Israelites. It reflects the common theme of justice and retribution found throughout the book of Psalms, as well as the larger themes of divine justice and the Israelites' relationship with God.
The psalms are a collection of poetic prayers, hymns, and laments in the Hebrew Bible that were traditionally attributed to King David. The verses are meant to be sung or chanted and express a wide range of emotions, including praise, thanksgiving, sorrow, fear, and anger. Psalm 79, in particular, is a lament expressing grief and anger over the destruction of Jerusalem and the desecration of the temple by foreign invaders.
In verse 12, the psalmist asks God to "render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach." This language is evocative of a common ancient Near Eastern legal principle known as "lex talionis," or the law of retaliation. The idea was that punishment should be proportional to the offense, often expressed as "an eye for an eye" or "a life for a life." In this case, the psalmist is asking for retribution to be visited upon the enemies of the Israelites sevenfold, emphasizing the severity of their offense and the depth of the psalmist's anger and desire for justice.
The use of the term "sevenfold" is significant in its symbolism. In biblical numerology, the number seven often represents completeness or perfection. It is used frequently throughout the Bible to represent God's power and sovereignty. In this verse, the use of "sevenfold" could be interpreted as a plea for God to fully and completely deliver retribution to the enemies of the Israelites, leaving no room for mercy or leniency.
The psalmist also specifies that the enemies' reproach should be returned to them "wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord." This demonstrates the psalmist's concern for the honor and reputation of God, as well as the Israelite people. The enemies' insults and reproach are seen as an affront not only to the Israelites but also to God himself. The psalmist's impassioned plea for justice is rooted in a desire to see God's name vindicated and to see the enemies held accountable for their actions.
In a larger context, this verse reflects the broader biblical theme of divine justice and the righteousness of God. Throughout the Hebrew Bible, there is a consistent emphasis on God as a just and righteous ruler who ultimately brings about justice for his people. This justice is often expressed through divine intervention, retribution against enemies, and the vindication of the oppressed. In Psalm 79:12, the psalmist's plea for retribution is a testament to the belief in God's ultimate justice and the hope for deliverance from the oppression and suffering experienced by the Israelites.
Overall, Psalm 79:12 is a powerful expression of the psalmist's desire for justice and retribution against the enemies of the Israelites. It is rooted in a deep faith in God's righteousness and a belief in the ultimate vindication of the oppressed. The verse's use of symbolic language and its emphasis on the honor of God further enrich its meaning, making it a poignant and evocative expression of the psalmist's emotions and beliefs.
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Psalms 79:12 - "And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord."
"And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord." - Psalms 79:12
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?"
"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;"
Psalms 79:1 - "O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps."
"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."
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
"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
"O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps." - Psalms 79:1
"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
"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
"Then believed they his words; they sang his praise." - Psalms 106:12
Psalms 12:7 - "Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."
Psalms 60:12 - "Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies."
"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
Psalms 86:12 - "I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore."