Psalms 79:2 (KJV)

What does Psalms 79:2 mean?

Psalms 79:2 describes a scene where the bodies of God’s servants and faithful people are left unburied, becoming food for birds and wild animals. This verse expresses the deep shame and sorrow of seeing those who served God treated with such dishonor after their deaths.

The psalm is spoken by Asaph, addressing God during a time of national disaster, likely after Jerusalem was attacked and many Israelites were killed. The verse paints a vivid picture of defeat and humiliation, showing how the people’s enemies have not only killed God’s followers but have also left their bodies exposed, denying them a proper burial, which was a serious disgrace in ancient Israel.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 79:2

• "Servants" (עֲבָדֶיךָ, ʿăvādêkha) refers to those who serve or are loyal to God, emphasizing their relationship and faithfulness to Him.
• "Saints" (חֲסִידֶיךָ, ḥăsîdêkha) means God’s devoted or faithful ones, highlighting their special status as people who lived according to God’s ways.
• "Meat" (מַאֲכָל, maʾăkāl) is the word for food, making the image of the dead being eaten by animals even more graphic and distressing.
• "Fowls of the heaven" (עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם, ʿôf haššāmayim) and "beasts of the earth" (חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ, ḥayyat hāʾāreṣ) refer to birds and wild animals, stressing the total lack of respect shown to the dead.

Why Psalms 79:2 matters

• Psalms 79:2 highlights the depth of suffering and disgrace experienced by the people, showing that their defeat was not just military but also deeply personal and spiritual.
• The verse helps readers understand the seriousness of being denied a proper burial in ancient Israel, which was seen as a terrible humiliation and a sign of utter defeat.
• This verse sets the emotional tone for the rest of the psalm, showing why the community is crying out to God for help and justice.