Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 78:61
And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand.
61. his strength his glory ] The Ark, the symbol and seat of His majesty (1Sa 4:21 f.; Psa 132:8), was suffered to fall into the hands of the Philistines (1Sa 4:11 ff.).
the enemy’s hand ] The adversary’s hand. (R.V.)
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And delivered his strength into captivity – That is, the ark, considered as the symbol of his power. This constituted the defense of the people; this was the emblem of the presence of God, which, when with them, was their real protection. The allusion here is to the time when the ark was taken by the Philistines in the days of Eli. See 1Sa 4:3-11.
And his glory – That which was emblematic of his glory, to wit, the ark.
Into the enemys hand – The hand or power of the Philistines.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
His strength, to wit, the ark, called Gods strength, 1Ch 16:11, and the ark of his strength, Psa 132:8, because it was the sign and pledge of his strength or power put forth on his peoples behalf.
His glory; so the ark is called, as being the monument and seat of Gods glorious presence, and an instrument of his glorious works.
The enemy; namely, the Philistines; of which see 1Sa 4.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
61. his strengththe ark, assymbolical of it (Ps 96:6).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And delivered his strength into captivity,…. That is, the ark, called his strength, and the ark of his strength, Ps 105:4, because it was a token of his strength, and by means of which he displayed it, as when the Israelites passed through Jordan into Canaan’s land, and encompassed the city of Jericho; and besides, it was typical of Christ, the man of God’s right hand, made strong for himself, and in whom is strength as well as righteousness for his people; now this was delivered up into the hands of the Philistines, and carried captive, 1Sa 4:11. The Targum renders it, “his law”, because the two tables of the law were in the ark; so Jarchi interprets it, the ark and the tables:
and his glory into the enemy’s hand; which designs the same thing, the ark being the glory of God, over which upon the mercy seat the glorious majesty of the Lord was; hence Phinehas’s wife, when she heard the ark was taken, fell into labour, her time being near, and brought forth a son, and called him Ichabod, saying, the glory is departed from Israel, for the ark of God is taken, 1Sa 4:21.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
61. And he delivered his strength into captivity. In this verse, the same subject is prosecuted: it is declared, that the strength of God, by which the Israelites had been shielded and defended, was at that time in captivity. Not that his power could only be exerted in connection with the outward symbol; but instead of opposing their enemies as he had formerly done, it was now his will that the grace by which he had preserved his people should, so to speak, be led captive. This, however, is not to be understood as implying that the Philistines had made God their prisoner. The meaning simply is, that the Israelites were deprived of the protection of God, in consequence of which they fell into the hands of their enemies, even as an army is put to flight when the general is taken prisoner. The ark is also termed the beauty of God; because, being in himself invisible, he made it the symbol of his presence, or, as it were, a mirror in which he might be seen. It is a bold, and at first sight, an absurd hyperbole, to say that the strength of God was taken prisoner by the Philistines; but it is expressly used for the purpose of aggravating the wickedness of the people. As he had been accustomed mightily to display the power of his arm in aiding them, the offenses with which he had been provoked must have been of a very heinous character, when he suffered that symbol of his power to be forcibly carried away by a heathen army. We are taught by the prophet Jeremiah, (Jer 7:12,) that what is here related of Shiloh, is addressed as a warning to all those who, flattering themselves upon false grounds, that they enjoy the presence of God, are lifted up with vain confidence: “But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.” If, therefore, when God approaches us familiarly, we do not sincerely receive him with that reverence which becomes us, we have ground to fear that what happened to the people of Shiloh will happen also to us. So much the more disgusting, then, is the boasting of the Pope and his adherents, who support the claims of Rome as the special dwelling-place of God, from the fact, that the Church in former times flourished in that city. It is to be remembered, — what they seem to forget, — that Christ, who is the true temple of the Godhead, was born in Bethlehem, and brought up in Nazareth, and that he dwelt and preached in Capernaum and Jerusalem; and yet the miserable desolation of all these cities affords a dreadful testimony of the wrath of God.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
61. His strength The ark of the covenant, the most holy emblem of God’s power, holiness, and presence with his people. An obvious reference to the capture of the ark by the Philistines. 1 Samuel 4
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The history of the church is pursued through all these verses. But we must look farther than the history, and particularly in the close of the Psalm, which ends with a view of David as the chosen of God to the throne of Israel; behold the Christ, the chosen of God, of whom David was a type, as set forth in these features of character. It is Jesus, who is the great Shepherd of Israel, who was all along pointed at, as leading Joseph like a sheep; and he, and he only, as the one who could carry the lambs in his arm, and cause them to recline in his bosom. Yes, blessed Jesus! it may be truly said of thee, that thou hast fed them, and that thou dost still feed them, according to the integrity of thine heart, and guidest them by the skillfulness of thine hand: for thou art still the Lamb in the midst of the throne. Thou art feeding the church above, and leading them to fountains of living waters. And thou art watchful of thy church below, from whence thou art bringing them through the wilderness, and in the mean time preserving them, so that they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of thine almighty hand. Lord, give me to see that thou art my Shepherd, and I shall not want.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 78:61 And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand.
Ver. 61. And delivered his strength his glory, &c.] i.e. His ark, which is elsewhere called the strength of God, 1Ch 16:11 2Ch 6:41 , and the glory of God, Psa 26:8 ; Psa 63:3 , because out of it he was wont to declare his power and glory, and to make himself visible after a sort.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
strength. One of the names for the Ark of the Covenant (Compare Psa 63:2; Psa 132:8). See notes on Exo 25:22. 1Ch 13:3.
glory. Another name for the Ark (1Sa 4:22).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
his strength: That is, the ark, where his power and glory were displayed. Psa 132:8, Jdg 18:30, 1Sa 5:1, 1Sa 5:2, 2Ch 6:41
glory: Psa 24:7, Exo 40:34, 1Sa 4:21, 1Sa 4:22
Reciprocal: Jdg 20:27 – the ark 1Sa 4:11 – the ark 1Sa 6:1 – the ark 1Ch 16:11 – his strength Psa 63:2 – To see Psa 105:4 – his strength Isa 60:15 – thou Jer 5:10 – they are not Eze 10:18 – the glory Rom 9:4 – and the glory
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
78:61 And delivered his {m} strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand.
(m) The Ark is called his power and beauty because by this he defended his people, and beautifully appeared to them.