Psalm 79:10

10 Why should the nations say, "Where [is] their God?" Let it be known among the nations before our eyes, [by] the avenging of the blood of your servants that was poured out.

Psalm 79:10 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 79:10

Wherefore should the Heathen say, where is their God?
&c.] They boast of, and put their confidence in, and expect salvation from? he does not appear for them, he is not with them; he has forsaken them, and will not help them; than which nothing can be more afflicting and distressing to the Lord's people; see ( Psalms 42:3 ) ,

let him be known among the Heathen in our sight;
in his holiness and justice, as a God of power, and to whom vengeance belongs; let him be known by his judgments executed upon the Heathen, openly and publicly in our sight, and in the view of the whole world; see ( Psalms 9:16 ) , so it follows,

by the revenging of the blood of thy servants, which is shed;
as in ( Psalms 79:3 ) , which blood God will revenge according to the request of his people, and give them blood to drink by way of retaliation; by which means his vindictive justice will be known, and it will be seen where the God of his people is, that he is with them, and maintains their cause; see ( Revelation 6:9 ) ( Revelation 16:6 Revelation 16:7 ) ( 19:2 ) . The words may be rendered in connection with the preceding clause thus; "let it be known among the Heathen in our sight, even the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed"; though Kimchi supplies the words as we do, "by a revenging"

Psalm 79:10 In-Context

8 Do not remember against us former iniquities; let your mercies meet us quickly because we are brought very low.

9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; and deliver us and forgive our sins for the sake of your name.

10 Why should the nations say, "Where [is] their God?" Let it be known among the nations before our eyes, [by] the avenging of the blood of your servants that was poured out.

11 Let the groaning of the prisoner come before you. According to the greatness of your {power}, spare [the] children [appointed to] death.

12 And return to our neighbors sevenfold {upon them} their taunts [with] which they taunted you, O Lord.

Footnotes

• [a] That is, God's name