Psalm 78 63

Psalm 78:63 kjv

The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.

Psalm 78:63 nkjv

The fire consumed their young men, And their maidens were not given in marriage.

Psalm 78:63 niv

Fire consumed their young men, and their young women had no wedding songs;

Psalm 78:63 esv

Fire devoured their young men, and their young women had no marriage song.

Psalm 78:63 nlt

Their young men were killed by fire;
their young women died before singing their wedding songs.

Psalm 78 verses

Psalm 78 63 Meaning

Psalm 78:63 describes a scene of profound national devastation and mourning resulting from divine judgment upon a faithless Israel. It portrays a military catastrophe where the strongest and most vital of the men, the young warriors, were utterly consumed by calamity, likened to fire. Concurrently, the community's future and joy were extinguished, as evidenced by the absence of marriage celebrations for the young women, signaling a loss of hope, procreation, and communal prosperity.

Psalm 78 63 Context

Psalm 78 is an historical psalm, an extended poem recounting God's faithful dealings with Israel from the Exodus through the time of David, contrasting it with Israel's repeated rebellion and unbelief. Verses 56-66 describe the period of the Judges and the early monarchy, focusing on the specific rejection of Ephraim (symbolizing the Northern Tribes and Shiloh as the central sanctuary) due to their faithlessness. Verse 63 is a stark description of the calamitous consequence of this unfaithfulness, widely understood to refer to the crushing defeat at the hands of the Philistines described in 1 Samuel 4, which led to the capture of the Ark of the Covenant and the death of many young men, including Eli's sons, at Shiloh. This judgment specifically impacted the societal fabric by destroying the young generation and extinguishing the promise of future generations through marriage.

Psalm 78 63 Word analysis

• Fire (אֵשׁ, 'esh):
  • Meaning: A literal burning element.
  • Significance: In biblical context, "fire" frequently symbolizes divine judgment, wrath, and consuming destruction. It's often associated with the holiness of God punishing sin. Its sudden, unstoppable nature indicates an overwhelming and complete destruction.
• devoured (אָכְלָה, 'akhĕlah):
  • Meaning: Literally, to eat, consume, to destroy.
  • Significance: Implies complete consumption, leaving nothing. It's a vivid, brutal metaphor for military defeat or pestilence where young men are annihilated as if eaten up.
• their young men (בַּחוּרָיו, baḥûrāyw):
  • Meaning: Refers to male youths, especially those in their prime, suitable for battle or marriage; often used to describe soldiers or vibrant members of the community.
  • Significance: These are the strongest, most capable members of society – the future warriors, providers, and fathers. Their loss is not merely a number; it represents the loss of protection, economic productivity, and continuation of families and the nation.
• and their virgins (וּבְתוּלֹתָיו, ûbəthûlōthāyw):
  • Meaning: Unmarried young women, typically of marriageable age.
  • Significance: These represent the future mothers and the continuation of the family line and the covenant promise of multiplying. Their fate is linked to the absence of the "marriage song."
• had no marriage song (לֹא הֻלָּל שִׁירֵי הִלּוּלִים, lō' hulal shîrê hillûlîm):
  • Meaning: The phrase uses the root halal (to praise, celebrate) often found in songs of rejoicing, specifically for feasts and weddings (hillulim). Thus, "no praising of marriage songs" or "no celebration of marriages."
  • Significance: This is a powerful expression of profound national lament and hopelessness. The absence of marriage songs signifies:
    • Lack of future: No new families forming, no new generations.
    • Societal collapse: Marriages are foundational to Israelite society and the covenant.
    • Deep sorrow: The absence of one of life's greatest joys underscores the widespread death and desolation.
    • Spiritual consequence: A curse in opposition to the blessing of fruitfulness (Gen 1:28; Deut 28:4).

Words-Group analysis:

• "Fire devoured their young men": This powerful image encapsulates violent and complete destruction. It is not just death but eradication. This speaks to the scale of military defeat and God's consuming judgment, removing the strength and hope of the next generation. It contrasts with God's presence as a pillar of fire leading and protecting His people; here, the divine fire of judgment consumes them.
• "their virgins had no marriage song": This phrase directly addresses the long-term impact of the calamity. The loss of the young men means there are no suitable husbands, or the societal devastation is so profound that joyous celebrations like weddings are simply impossible. This highlights not just immediate loss of life but the crushing of future hope, prosperity, and joy for the entire community. It points to a cessation of normal life, a halt to procreation, and a silent mourning over the unfulfilled promise of future generations. This is a severe covenant consequence, directly opposing the promise of multiplying and being fruitful (e.g., Gen 12:2; 22:17).

Psalm 78 63 Bonus section

The calamity described in Psalm 78:63, reflecting the events of 1 Samuel 4, specifically highlights God's apparent withdrawal from His people's battle. This was a profound shock to Israel, as they had come to presume God's protection based on their status as His chosen nation, rather than on their faithfulness. The defeat and subsequent silence of the "marriage songs" underscore not only a physical loss but a spiritual desolation, revealing that God would rather see His own ark captured and His people decimated than bless their sin and presume upon His covenant without genuine repentance. It's a sober lesson on the consequences of abusing God's grace and taking His presence for granted, paving the way for the later understanding of true spiritual brokenness being the path to restoration, as seen in David's time.

Psalm 78 63 Commentary

Psalm 78:63 stands as a concise yet profound indictment of Israel's unfaithfulness, illustrating the severe covenant consequences that follow deviation from God's commands. It encapsulates a specific period of devastating judgment, most notably linked to the defeat at Aphek and the capture of the Ark (1 Sam 4). The "fire" represents divine wrath and overwhelming destruction, consuming the nation's prime, its "young men," who were meant to defend and propagate the people. This loss of warriors signified a breakdown in national security and the future male leadership. Furthermore, the absence of "marriage songs" for "their virgins" vividly portrays a society plunged into despair, where the very symbols of joy, new beginnings, and future generations—weddings—have ceased. It indicates widespread bereavement, economic collapse, and a deep sense of a foreshortened future. This verse functions as a lament, a stark reminder of how far God's chosen people fell due to their idolatry and rebellion, emphasizing that covenant blessings are contingent upon obedience and that sin brings utter devastation, impacting every aspect of communal life.