Psalms 79:2
Psalms 79:2 in Multiple Translations
They have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.
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.
The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be food unto the birds of the heavens, The flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.
They have given the bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the air, and the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth.
They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of your faithful people to the beasts of the earth.
The dead bodies of thy seruats haue they giuen to be meat vnto foules of ye heauen: and the flesh of thy Saintes vnto the beastes of the earth.
They gave the dead bodies of Thy servants Food for the fowls of the heavens, The flesh of Thy saints For the wild beast of the earth.
They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your saints to the animals of the earth.
The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be food to the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints, to the beasts of the earth.
Give ear, O thou that rulest Israel: thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. Thou that sittest upon the cherubims, shine forth
Instead of burying the corpses of your people whom they killed, they allowed vultures and wild animals to eat the flesh of those corpses,
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 79:2
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 79:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
נָֽתְנ֡וּ
אֶת
נִבְלַ֬ת
עֲבָדֶ֗י/ךָ
מַ֭אֲכָל
לְ/ע֣וֹף
הַ/שָּׁמָ֑יִם
בְּשַׂ֥ר
חֲ֝סִידֶ֗י/ךָ
לְ/חַיְת/וֹ
אָֽרֶץ
נָֽתְנ֡וּ
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
נִבְלַ֬ת
nᵉbêlâh
H5038
carcass
N-fs
עֲבָדֶ֗י/ךָ
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
N-mp | Suff
מַ֭אֲכָל
maʼăkâl
H3978
food
N-ms
לְ/ע֣וֹף
ʻôwph
H5775
bird
Prep | N-ms
הַ/שָּׁמָ֑יִם
shâmayim
H8064
heaven
Art | N-mp
בְּשַׂ֥ר
bâsâr
H1320
flesh
N-ms
חֲ֝סִידֶ֗י/ךָ
châçîyd
H2623
pious
Adj | Suff
לְ/חַיְת/וֹ
chay
H2416
alive
Prep | N-fs | Suff
אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 79:2
נָֽתְנ֡וּ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
נִבְלַ֬ת
nᵉbêlâh
H5038
"carcass"
N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to a dead body or carcass, whether human or animal, often translated as 'dead body' or 'carcass'. It can also symbolize an idol.
Definition: 1) carcass, corpse 1a) of humans, idols, animals
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: (dead) body, (dead) carcase, dead of itself, which died, (beast) that (which) dieth of itself. See also: Leviticus 5:2; Joshua 8:29; Psalms 79:2.
עֲבָדֶ֗י/ךָ
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
מַ֭אֲכָל
maʼăkâl
H3978
"food"
N-ms
This word means food or something to eat, like fruit or meat, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit in Genesis. It's about nourishment and survival.
Definition: food, fruit, meat
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: food, fruit, (bake-)meat(-s), victual. See also: Genesis 2:9; Job 33:20; Psalms 44:12.
לְ/ע֣וֹף
ʻôwph
H5775
"bird"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word simply means a bird, like the ones that fly in the sky. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms, often symbolizing freedom.
Definition: 1) flying creatures, fowl, insects, birds 1a) fowl, birds 1b) winged insects Aramaic equivalent: oph (עוֹף "bird" H5776)
Usage: Occurs in 70 OT verses. KJV: bird, that flieth, flying, fowl. See also: Genesis 1:20; 1 Samuel 17:46; Psalms 50:11.
הַ/שָּׁמָ֑יִם
shâmayim
H8064
"heaven"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for heaven or sky, it refers to the visible universe and the abode of God. It is often used in the Bible to describe the dwelling place of celestial bodies.
Definition: 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God) Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Usage: Occurs in 395 OT verses. KJV: air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s). See also: Genesis 1:1; 1 Samuel 2:10; Job 28:21.
בְּשַׂ֥ר
bâsâr
H1320
"flesh"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.
חֲ֝סִידֶ֗י/ךָ
châçîyd
H2623
"pious"
Adj | Suff
A pious person is someone who is kind and faithful to God, like a saint. In the Bible, it describes people who are holy and merciful, such as in Psalms and Proverbs. This concept is important in the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) faithful, kind, godly, holy one, saint, pious 1a) kind 1b) pious, godly 1c) faithful ones (subst)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: godly (man), good, holy (one), merciful, saint, (un-) godly. See also: Deuteronomy 33:8; Psalms 85:9; Psalms 4:4.
לְ/חַיְת/וֹ
chay
H2416
"alive"
Prep | N-fs | Suff
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
Study Notes — Psalms 79:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 79:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 79:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 79:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 79:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 79:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 79:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 79:2
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 79:2
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 79:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 79:2
- Sermons on Psalms 79:2
Context — A Prayer for Deliverance
1The nations, O God, have invaded Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple and reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
2They have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.
3They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead. 4We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those around us.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 7:33 | The corpses of this people will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to scare them away. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 34:20 | I will deliver into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 16:4 | “They will die from deadly diseases. They will not be mourned or buried, but will lie like dung on the ground. They will be finished off by sword and famine, and their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and beasts of the earth.” |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 28:26 | Your corpses will be food for all the birds of the air and beasts of the earth, with no one to scare them away. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 15:3 | I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 19:7 | And in this place I will ruin the plans of Judah and Jerusalem. I will make them fall by the sword before their enemies, by the hands of those who seek their lives, and I will give their carcasses as food to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth. |
Psalms 79:2 Summary
This verse is describing a very sad and tragic event where God's people were treated very badly and their bodies were not respected. It's like what happened in Jeremiah 7:33, where God says that the bodies of His people will be food for the birds and beasts. The verse is crying out to God for help and justice, and it reminds us that God loves His people and will not forget them, as seen in Jeremiah 31:20, where God says that He has great compassion for His people. It's a reminder that even in the darkest times, God is still with us and will bring restoration and comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the corpses of God's servants to be given as food to the birds of the air?
This phrase is a metaphor for the brutal treatment and disregard for the bodies of God's people, similar to what is described in Deuteronomy 28:26, where God warns of the consequences of disobedience, including being food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth.
Why does the verse mention the flesh of God's saints being given to the beasts of the earth?
This is a vivid description of the desecration and disrespect shown to the bodies of God's people, emphasizing the depth of the tragedy and the need for God's intervention, as seen in Psalms 74:19, where God is asked to not deliver His dove to the wild beasts.
Is this verse describing a historical event or a future prophecy?
This verse is describing a historical event, likely the destruction of Jerusalem by foreign invaders, but it also has implications for the future, as it expresses the cry of God's people for justice and restoration, similar to what is described in Isaiah 61:2-3, where God promises to bring comfort and restoration to His people.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's sovereignty and justice?
This verse highlights the tension between God's sovereignty and the reality of evil and injustice in the world, and it expresses the cry of God's people for God to act and bring justice, as seen in Psalms 37:28, where God is described as loving justice and not forsaking His saints.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God's people are still being persecuted and mistreated today, and how can we respond to these situations?
- How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's love and care for His people, and what does it teach me about the importance of crying out to God in times of need?
- In what ways can I identify with the feelings of despair and desperation expressed in this verse, and how can I apply its message to my own life?
- What are some ways that I can pray for and support those who are being persecuted for their faith, and how can I be a source of comfort and encouragement to them?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 79:2
The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven,.... For such there were, both at the time of the Babylonish captivity, and in the times of Antiochus, who were
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 79:2
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. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 79:2
Of thy servants; either, 1. Of thy faithful and holy servants, whom they used as cruelly as the worst of the people. Or, 2. Of the Jews, whom, though the generality of them were very wicked, he calleth God’ s servants and saints, because they were all such by profession, and some of them were really such; and the Chaldeans did never know nor regard those that were so, but promiscuously destroyed all that came in their way. Given to be meat unto the fowls of heaven, by casting them out like dung upon the face of the earth, and not suffering any to bury them.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 79:2
Psalms 79:2 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.Ver. 2. The dead bodies of thy servants] Either they denied them the honour of burial (which is reckoned among the τανομιζομενα, the dues of the dead), or else they mangled their dead bodies, and exercised their rage upon them, as the Papists did upon Huss and Zwinglius, and many of the English martyrs. A barbarous practice, as Pausanias judged it in Herodot. Calliope, Nεκρωλυμαινεσθαιπρεπειμαλλονβαρβαροισιν, &c. The flesh of thy saints, &c.] Of thy beneficiaries, whose souls are with thee in heaven; these have not so much as a burying place on earth, but lie like common carrion, Morticina, like cattle that die of the murrain, and are most ignominously dealt with; and yet these are God’ s saints, and, in some sense, martyrs.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 79:2
(2) In addition to references in Margin see Deuteronomy 28:26. Saints.—Heb., chasîdîm. (See Note, Psalms 16:10.) Here with definite allusion to the Assdœans of 1 Maccabees 7.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 79:2
Verse 2. The dead bodies of thy servants] It appears that in the destruction of Jerusalem the Chaldeans did not bury the bodies of the slain, but left them to be devoured by birds and beasts of prey. This was the grossest inhumanity.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 79:2
2. The horrors of a remorseless slaughter were aggravated by the disgrace of the corpses being left unburied, in accordance with the threats of the law (Deuteronomy 28:26) and prophets (Jeremiah 7:33; Jeremiah 8:2; Jeremiah 9:22; Jeremiah 15:3; Jeremiah 16:4; Jeremiah 19:7). thy servants … thy saints] These titles are not meant to plead Israel’s merits, but Israel’s relationship to God in virtue of His covenant with them (Psalms 74:20; Psalms 50:5).
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 79:2
The dead bodies of thy servants ... - They have slain them, and left them unburied. See 2 Chronicles 36:17.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 79:2
2. Dead bodies—The slaughter was so great that the bodies were left unburied, (Psalms 79:3,) to become food for birds and wild beasts. Even the flesh of the saints, or truly pious, was given… unto the beasts of the earth.
Sermons on Psalms 79:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Psalm 79 by Henry Law | Henry Law preaches about the desolation of Jerusalem and the distress of the Israelites as they witness the ruins of their beloved city and Temple, leading them to seek mercy from |
|
The Incredible Signs That Follow Those Who Believe by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the four judgments that God will bring upon his people. These judgments include the sword to slay, the dogs to tear, the fowls of the heaven, |