Psalm 79:2

ESV They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food, the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.

NIV They have left the dead bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.

NASB They have given the dead bodies of Your servants to the birds of the sky as food, The flesh of Your godly ones to the animals of the earth.

CSB They gave the corpses of your servants to the birds of the sky for food, the flesh of your faithful ones to the beasts of the earth.

NLT They have left the bodies of your servants as food for the birds of heaven. The flesh of your godly ones has become food for the wild animals.

KJV The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.

NKJV The dead bodies of Your servants They have given as food for the birds of the heavens, The flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.

What does Psalm 79:2 mean?

Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 79, verse-level content coming soon!

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Context Summary
Psalm 79:1–4 opens a song of mourning. This apparently refers to the Babylonian invasion of 586 BC. The defeat resulted in the destruction of Solomon's temple and the ruin of Jerusalem. The psalmist expresses grief about the defiled temple and the many Israelites who have been killed. Israel has been completely humiliated by their enemies.

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Chapter Summary
In 586 BC, the Babylonian Empire broke the defenses of Jerusalem. The city was burned and Solomon's temple was destroyed. Death and misery were everywhere. Many Israelites were taken captive. The psalmist struggles to grasp what has happened. He begs God for rescue and forgiveness. The song pleads for God to enact vengeance for Israel on the pagan nations that have humiliated His chosen people.

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