Psalm 79:5

5 ¹How long, O Lord? Will you be angry ²forever? Will your ³jealousy ⁴burn like fire?

Psalm 79:5 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 79:5

How long, Lord, wilt thou be angry? for ever?
&c.] That is, how long wilt thou be angry? shall it be for ever? see ( Psalms 85:4 Psalms 85:5 ) , for though what was done, or to be done, as before related, was or will be done by the enemies of the Lord's people, yet by his permission, and as a token of his anger and displeasure against them: at least it might be so understood, both by them and by their enemies; and hence this expostulation,

shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
so jealousy does; its coals are coals of fire, ( Song of Solomon 8:6 ) , there were, at the times referred to, such among the people, who did evil things, and provoked the Lord to jealousy and wrath: see the Apocrypha:

``And there was very great wrath upon Israel.'' (1 Maccabees 1:64)

``When this was done, and they had made a common supplication, they besought the merciful Lord to be reconciled with his servants for ever.'' (2 Maccabees 8:29)

Psalm 79:5 In-Context

3 They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them.

4 We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us.

5 How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?

6 Pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name!

7 For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation.

Cross References

• 1. 79:5 [Ps. 74:10; 80:4]
• 2. 79:5 [Ps. 74:1; 85:5]; See Ps. 13:1
• 3. 79:5 Ps. 78:58
• 4. 79:5 Ps. 78:21; 89:46