Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.

PSALMS 79:10KJV
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Psalms 79:10 (KJV)

What does Psalms 79:10 mean?

Psalms 79:10 is a plea for God to show His presence and justice by punishing those who have harmed His people, so that other nations cannot mockingly ask, "Where is their God?" The verse asks God to make Himself known by avenging the blood of His servants that has been unjustly shed.

The speaker is the psalmist, likely representing the people of Israel, praying to God during a time of national disaster and suffering. The surrounding nations (called "heathen" here) have attacked Israel, and the psalmist fears that God's reputation is at stake if He does not act. The verse expresses both grief over violence against God's people and a desire for God to defend His honor among the nations.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 79:10

  • "heathen" (גּוֹי, goy): This word refers to the nations or peoples outside Israel. Here, it highlights the outsiders who are questioning God's power and presence.
  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): This is the general Hebrew word for God, emphasizing the psalmist's appeal to the one true God, not just a local deity.
  • "known" (יָדַע, yada): This verb means to know or make known. The psalmist wants God’s power and justice to be clearly seen and recognized by all nations.
  • "revenging" (נָקָם, naqam): This word means to avenge or take vengeance. The psalmist is asking for God to bring justice for the bloodshed of His servants, not out of personal spite, but to restore what is right.

Why Psalms 79:10 matters

  • Psalms 79:10 clears up that the psalmist’s concern is not only for personal or national loss, but also for God’s reputation among the nations.
  • The verse emphasizes the idea that God’s actions (or seeming inaction) are noticed by outsiders, and that His justice is meant to be visible to all.
  • This verse connects to the wider psalm, which is a communal lament, showing how Israel’s suffering is tied to questions about God’s faithfulness and presence in times of crisis.

Where else these words appear

“revenging” Hebrew H5360 · used in 22 verses

  • Numbers 31:2 Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people.
  • Psalms 149:7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
  • Jeremiah 51:6 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.

“shed” Hebrew H8210 · used in 111 verses

  • Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
  • Job 30:16 And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.
  • Ezekiel 16:36 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;