Psalm 79
Geneva Study Bible
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 {b} 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.

(b) The prophets show to what extremities God sometimes allows his Church to fall to exercise their faith, before he sets his hand to deliver them.

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

(c) Their friends and relatives did not dare to bury them for fear of the enemies.

We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.
We are become a reproach to our {d} neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

(d) Of which some came from Abraham but were degenerate: and others were open enemies to your religion, but they both laughed at our miseries.

How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy {e} burn like fire?

(e) Will you completely consume us for our sins, before you take us to mercy?

Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.
O remember not against us {f} former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.

(f) Which we and our fathers have committed.

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.
Help us, O God of our {h} salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.

(h) Seeing we have no other Saviour, neither can we help ourselves, and also by our salvation your Name will be praised: therefore O Lord, help us.

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.
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.
Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;
Let the sighing of the {i} prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou {k} those that are appointed to die;

(i) Who though in respect to God they were justly punished for their sins, yet in consideration of their cause were unjustly murdered.

(k) Who were captives among their enemies and could look for nothing but death.

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.
So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.
So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: {l} we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

(l) We ought to desire no benefit from God, but on this condition to praise his name, Isa 43:21.

The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599]

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