Psalms 79:3

Verse

They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.

American Standard Version (1901)

Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; And there was none to bury them.

Their blood has been flowing like water round about Jerusalem; there was no one to put them in their last resting-place.

Free Bible Version

They have poured out the blood of Jerusalem's people like water all through the city; no one remains to bury the dead.

Geneva Bible 1599

Their blood haue they shead like waters rounde about Ierusalem, and there was none to burie them.

King James (Authorized) Version

Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.

One Unity Resource Bible

Their blood they have shed like water around Jerusalem [City of peace]. There was no one to bury them.

Translation for Translators

When they killed your people, your people’s blood flowed like water through the streets of Jerusalem, and there was almost no one [HYP] left to bury their corpses.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They have shed their blood like water around Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them.

Noah Webster Bible

Their blood have they shed like water around Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them .

World English Bible

They have shed their blood like water around Jerusalem. There was no one to bury them.

Young's Literal Translation

They have shed their blood As water round about Jerusalem, And there is none burying.

Context

A Prayer for Deliverance

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.

Summary

In this verse, the psalmist cries out to God in distress, describing how the enemies have defiled the sanctuary, leaving Jerusalem in ruins. The psalmist's plea reflects a deep sense of sorrow and desperation, seeking divine intervention and restoration. This verse captures the anguish of the psalmist over the desecration of sacred places and the suffering of God's people. It serves as a heartfelt prayer for God's mercy, protection, and deliverance in the face of adversity and destruction.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem,.... Without any concern of mind, or remorse of conscience; without any fear of God or man; as if it had been so much water only; and this they shed in great abundance: from the Apocrypha: "And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a great massacre, and spoken very proudly.'' (1 Maccabees 1:24) "And spake peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and smote it very sore, and destroyed much people of Israel.'' (1 Maccabees 1:30) "Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled it:'' (1 Maccabees 1:37) "So they rose up against them in battle on the sabbath, and they slew them, with their wives and children and their cattle, to the number of a thousand people.'' (1 Maccabees 2:38) in like manner the blood of the saints has been shed by the antichristian beast of Rome, for which he and his followers will be righteously retaliated, Rev 17:6. and there was none to bury them: either the number of the slain was so great, that there were not left enough to bury the dead, or they that did remain were not suffered to do it; this will be the case of the two witnesses, when slain, Rev 11:7.