Psalm 79 7

Psalm 79:7 kjv

For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.

Psalm 79:7 nkjv

For they have devoured Jacob, And laid waste his dwelling place.

Psalm 79:7 niv

for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland.

Psalm 79:7 esv

For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation.

Psalm 79:7 nlt

For they have devoured your people Israel,
making the land a desolate wilderness.

Psalm 79 verses

Psalm 79 7 Meaning

Psalm 79:7 powerfully articulates the devastating consequence of the nations' aggression against God's covenant people. The phrase "For they have devoured Jacob" speaks to a complete and destructive consumption, not merely looting, but a total annihilation of the people of Israel as a collective entity. Following this, "and laid waste his dwelling place" refers to the utter ruin and desolation of the land, specifically highlighting the destruction of Jerusalem and the holy Temple, which was considered the dwelling place of God among His people. The verse attributes the lamentable state of Israel directly to the actions of the gentile nations, setting the stage for the Psalmist's urgent plea for divine intervention and retribution.

Psalm 79 7 Context

Psalm 79 is a communal lament, one of several "psalms of communal lament" (e.g., Ps 44, 74, 80). It most likely describes the desolation and national humiliation brought about by the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The Psalmist voices the deep anguish of the people who witness their holy city defiled, their sanctuary destroyed, and their fellow Israelites slaughtered. This event was not merely a military defeat but a profound theological crisis, challenging the perception of God's protection and covenant promises. Verse 7 specifically points to the complete and aggressive nature of this destruction, explaining why the people feel forsaken and why their cries for help are so urgent in the preceding verses. The nations are depicted as cruel instruments of God's perceived wrath, but their actions are presented as an assault on God's own people and dwelling, thus also implicitly an affront to His divine honor.

Psalm 79 7 Word analysis

• כִּ֤י (kî): "For" or "because." This particle introduces the reason or explanation for the deep distress and complaint articulated in the preceding verses of the psalm. It signifies that the devastation described is the direct cause of the lament.
• אָכְל֣וּ (ākhəlû): From the verb akal, meaning "to eat," "consume," or "devour." This is a strong, violent metaphor. It implies more than mere attack or plundering; it suggests a total consumption, an obliteration that leaves nothing behind, similar to an animal tearing and swallowing its prey. It conveys the ruthlessness and comprehensive nature of the enemies' destruction.
• אֶֽת־יַעֲקֹ֗ב (et-ya`ăqōv): "Jacob." In biblical poetry, "Jacob" is frequently used as a synecdoche for the entire nation of Israel, representing the descendants of Jacob and Abraham, the covenant people. The phrase signifies that the enemies devoured the very essence of the nation, its people, identity, and existence. This isn't just an attack on land but on the very heart of God's chosen people.
• וְאֶת־נָוֵ֥הוּ (wə'et-nāvēhū): "and his dwelling place."
  • נָוֵהוּ (nāvēhū): From nāweh, meaning "pasture," "dwelling place," "habitation," or "home." Here, in the context of Jerusalem and the Temple, it refers primarily to the holy sanctuary and the surrounding land. The Temple was seen as the dwelling place of God among His people, so its destruction was the destruction of the spiritual heart and home of Israel. It represents the sacred space, the visible manifestation of God's presence, which has been violated and ruined.
• הֵשַּֽמּֽוּ (hêšammû): From the verb shāmēm, meaning "to be desolate," "to be appalled," or "to lay waste." The Hiphil perfect tense ("they have laid waste") indicates that the enemies thoroughly, deliberately, and completely turned the dwelling place into an empty, uninhabited wasteland, causing shock and horror. It signifies a state of utter ruin, emptiness, and terror, leaving nothing productive or beautiful behind.

Word-group analysis:

• "they have devoured Jacob": This phrase paints a picture of merciless consumption, as if Israel was helpless prey. It emphasizes the profound humiliation and devastation experienced by the nation, suggesting an existential threat. This active devastation stands in stark contrast to God's past role as provider and protector for Jacob.
• "and laid waste his dwelling place": This describes the physical destruction of the land and sanctuary. The juxtaposition with "devoured Jacob" shows that both the people and their sacred land, the markers of their identity and relationship with God, were targeted for utter ruin. It speaks to the emptiness and void left by the invaders' destructive actions.

Psalm 79 7 Bonus section

This verse implies a double humiliation: not only were the people physically destroyed and displaced, but the visible sign of God's covenant with them – the Temple and the land – was also desecrated. This loss had significant spiritual ramifications, leading to questions of God's honor and commitment, prompting the Psalmist's plea that God act "for the glory of your name" (Ps 79:9). The lament isn't just about human suffering but also about vindicating God's reputation among the nations, who might otherwise conclude that Israel's God was powerless to protect His own. This echoes broader prophetic themes where the defilement of Israel's land and sanctuary reflects a breaking of the covenant and God's turning His face, leading to devastating consequences until a remnant is refined and restored.

Psalm 79 7 Commentary

Psalm 79:7 serves as the painful declaration of Israel's current plight, explaining the anguish and supplication found throughout the psalm. The violent verbs "devoured" and "laid waste" underscore the comprehensive and brutal nature of the destruction wrought by the invading nations, typically understood to be the Babylonians. "Jacob" represents the entire covenant people of Israel, highlighting that the assault was against God's chosen nation. "His dwelling place" points to the devastation of Jerusalem and, most poignantly, the Holy Temple, which was considered the very home of God's presence on earth. The Psalmist articulates a deep theological crisis: if God's people are devoured and His dwelling place desolated, what does this say about God's power and faithfulness? This verse encapsulates the national catastrophe and provides the critical foundation for the desperate cries for divine justice and restoration that follow.