Psalm 78 66

Psalm 78:66 kjv

And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.

Psalm 78:66 nkjv

And He beat back His enemies; He put them to a perpetual reproach.

Psalm 78:66 niv

He beat back his enemies; he put them to everlasting shame.

Psalm 78:66 esv

And he put his adversaries to rout; he put them to everlasting shame.

Psalm 78:66 nlt

He routed his enemies
and sent them to eternal shame.

Psalm 78 verses

Psalm 78 66 Meaning

Psalm 78:66 declares God's decisive and humiliating judgment upon His adversaries. It vividly portrays a divine act of retribution where God struck down His enemies with such force that they were turned back in defeat and subjected to a lasting and profound disgrace. This verse highlights God's unwavering power, His active intervention in history to defend His honor, and His commitment to His covenant people, even when they stray.

Psalm 78 66 Context

Psalm 78 is a historical psalm, recounting God's faithful dealings with the unfaithful nation of Israel from the Exodus through the establishment of David's kingdom. It serves as a didactic warning against forgetting God's works and repeating the errors of previous generations. Verses 60-72 specifically focus on a pivotal point in Israel's history: God's rejection of the sanctuary at Shiloh (associated with the northern tribe of Ephraim) due to Israel's unfaithfulness, and His subsequent choice of Jerusalem (Zion) and David from the tribe of Judah. Within this narrative, Psalm 78:66 details God's divine retribution against the Philistines. Historically, this refers to the period described in 1 Samuel chapters 4-6, when the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines. Though this was allowed as a discipline for Israel, God Himself acted decisively against the Philistines, afflicting them with tumors and the collapse of their idol Dagon. This action of striking down their adversaries and putting them to a perpetual reproach ultimately served to vindicate God's name and to demonstrate His power before the nations, solidifying His choice of Zion as His dwelling place.

Psalm 78 66 Word analysis

• And He smote: (וַיַּךְ, va-yak) This verb comes from the Hebrew root נָכָה (nakah), meaning 'to strike, to beat, to smite, to afflict'. The specific form here, with the waw-consecutive, indicates a past action of suddenness and decisiveness. The "He" refers unmistakably to God Himself, emphasizing His direct and powerful intervention. It signifies not merely an attack but a crushing, comprehensive defeat.

• His adversaries: (צָרָיו, tzarav) From the singular צַר (tzar), meaning 'foe, enemy, oppressor'. The plural and possessive suffix ('his') designate the specific and numerous opponents of God. In the immediate context, these were the Philistines, but prophetically, they represent any who stand in opposition to the Lord and His purposes.

• backward: (אָחוֹר, achor) This adverb means 'backward, behind, to the rear'. In military and metaphorical contexts, it implies a rout, a complete retreat, or being turned back in confusion and defeat. It underscores the overwhelming nature of God's strike, which not only stops the enemy but sends them in disarray away from their initial position or attack.

• He put them: (נָתַן, natan) From the root נָתַן (natan), meaning 'to give, to put, to place, to set'. Here, it means that God actively ordained, caused, or assigned this state upon them. It highlights divine agency in their humiliation.

• to a perpetual reproach: (חֶרְפַּת עוֹלָם, cherpat olam)

  • perpetual: (עוֹלָם, olam) This term signifies 'forever, eternity, everlasting, long duration'. It indicates that the disgrace was not temporary or easily forgotten but enduring through history and remembered for generations.
  • reproach: (חֶרְפָּה, cherpah) Meaning 'shame, disgrace, humiliation, insult, dishonor, contempt'. It refers to public exposure to scorn, an affront to one's honor. Together, "perpetual reproach" describes a lasting, inescapable ignominy brought upon them by God's action.

Words-group analysis:

• "And He smote His adversaries backward": This phrase dramatically pictures God's overwhelming might. It conveys not just defeat, but a humiliating reversal of fortunes. The enemies were not just beaten; they were actively routed, turned away from their goal and position by divine force, signifying a decisive and irresistible judgment. This reversal underscored the futility of human power against God.
• "He put them to a perpetual reproach": This signifies the profound and enduring consequence of their defeat. It extends beyond the physical battle, marking their legacy with a permanent stain of dishonor. The Philistines' experience with the Ark and Dagon's destruction served as an iconic historical example, symbolizing the lasting disgrace for any who would challenge the true God. This enduring shame served to glorify God and validate His supremacy over all other deities and powers.

Psalm 78 66 Bonus section

• The nature of the "smiting" against the Philistines involved non-traditional warfare, such as afflictions (tumors) and plagues of mice (1 Sam 5-6), highlighting that God's power extends beyond conventional human means of battle.
• This verse contributes to the broader theological theme in Psalm 78 of divine rejection and divine election – specifically, God rejecting the dwelling place at Shiloh (where the ark was taken) due to Israel's unfaithfulness, and His subsequent choice of Judah, Zion, and David (Psalm 78:67-72). The defeat of the Philistines thus validates God's sovereign decision-making and justice.
• The concept of "perpetual reproach" reinforces the eternal consequences that await those who set themselves against the Lord. It serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate fate of those who refuse to acknowledge His supremacy.

Psalm 78 66 Commentary

Psalm 78:66 succinctly captures a pivotal moment of divine retribution within the larger narrative of God's unwavering faithfulness despite human frailty. After Israel's repeated backsliding and the profound disgrace of the Ark's capture, God Himself rose in powerful indignation against the Philistine captors. This act was not merely a military victory; it was a cosmic reassertion of His sovereignty. The phrase "He smote His adversaries backward" describes a complete rout, highlighting God's immediate and overwhelming power to reverse what seemed like a definitive human victory. More significantly, "He put them to a perpetual reproach" emphasizes the lasting, indelible shame brought upon the Philistines, underscored by the destruction of Dagon, their national deity, before the Ark (1 Sam 5). This enduring humiliation serves as a perpetual reminder that no god or human power can withstand the Lord of hosts. It not only vindicated God's glory but also paved the way for the historical shift in leadership and dwelling place from Shiloh to Zion and from the priesthood of Eli to the enduring Davidic kingship. It demonstrates God's consistent purpose: to uphold His name, protect His people (even through their discipline), and secure His chosen plan despite all opposition.