Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 79:12
And render unto our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.
12. our neighbours ] Cp. Psa 79:4: the nations around, such as the Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites, which instead of sympathising rejoiced at Israel’s calamity. Cp. Ezekiel 25.
sevenfold ] Cp. Gen 4:15; and contrast Christ’s law of forgiveness, Mat 18:22.
into their bosom ] A metaphor from the practice of carrying articles in the folds of the dress. It further suggests the idea of full and intimate recompence. Cp. Isa 65:6; Jer 32:18; Luk 6:38.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And render unto our neighbors – That is, the neighbors who had reproached them; the surrounding people who had seen these calamities come upon them, and who had regarded these calamities as proof that their God was unable to protect them, or that they were suffering under his displeasure. See the notes at Psa 79:4. Sevenfold. Seven times the amount of reproach which they have heaped upon us. The word seven is often used to denote many, as seven was one of the perfect numbers. The idea is that of complete or full vengeance. Compare Gen 4:15, Gen 4:24; Pro 6:31; Isa 30:26; Mat 18:21-22; Luk 17:4.
Into their bosom … – Perhaps the allusion here is to the custom of carrying things in the bosom of the flowing dress as it was girded around the loins. Let them be made to carry with them seven times the amount of reproach which they have endeavored to heap on us.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 79:12
And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach.
Vengeance
This is the same spirit as is breathed out in Psa 79:6. It is revenge. We have here two things.
I. A noble instinct. It is an instinct of justice, a cry against wrong. As an instinct, it is a spark from the Divine nature, a spark that reveals the justice which is at the head of the universe. Observe, the revenge here was not breathed for personal enemies, nor for bad men in the neighbourhood, the land, or the ago, but for bad men in a distant land and in a remote time. It was the breaking forth of that instinct of revenge which is in all our natures.
II. A noble instinct wrongly developed. It was a prayer that God would punish with sevenfold the sufferings which their enemies had inflicted on them.
1. It was a personal, not a public, development. We are commanded not to return evil for evil, etc.
2. It was an exaggerated development. It is not merely, treat, them as they are treating us, but with seven times the cruelty.
3. It was an impious development. It was asking the God of Infinite Love to act cruelly, it was to dictate to Infinite Justice the method of avenging the wrong. Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord. If, says Sir T. Browne, thou must needs have thy revenge of thine enemy, with a soft tongue break his bones, heap coals of fire on his head, forgive him, and enjoy it. (Homilist.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 12. Sevenfold into their bosom] That is, Let them get in this world what they deserve for the cruelties they have inflicted on us. Let them suffer in captivity, who now have us in bondage. Probably this is a prediction.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Sevenfold, i.e. either,
1. Abundantly, as this phrase notes, Isa 65:6,7; Jer 32:18; Luk 6:38. Or,
2. Sensibly, so as it may come home to them, and fall heavily upon them in their own persons. Reproached thee, as impotent, or unfaithful, or unmerciful to his own people. So they intimate that this desire did not proceed from a revengeful mind, but from a due sense of Gods favour.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. into their bosomThe lapor folds of the dress is used by Eastern people for receivingarticles. The figure denotes retaliation (compare Isa 65:6;Isa 65:7). They reproached God aswell as His people.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And render unto our neighbours seven fold into their bosom, ec.] Not seven fold for one, as the Targum paraphrases it, or a seven fold punishment for one sin; but that he would recompense their sins, or punish for them, and take vengeance on them, largely, abundantly, though not beyond measure, or exceeding the rules of justice; see Ge 4:15,
the reproach with which they have reproached thee, O Lord; by denying his being, or calling in question his perfections of power, truth, and goodness, to help his people; speaking ill of his providence, despising his word and ordinances, and even reproaching his people in reproaching him, Ps 89:50, and this is what a righteous recompence is desired for; see La 3:64.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
12 And render to our neighbors sevenfold. We have already said enough on the subject of vengeance; and here the faithful show still more clearly, that they are not so much moved by the injuries done to themselves personally, as inflamed with a holy zeal when they see the sacred name of God blasphemed, and, as it were, torn in pieces by the wicked. If this affection reign in our hearts, it will easily moderate the ungovernableness of our flesh, and if the wisdom of the Spirit is added to it, our prayers will be in strict accordance with the just judgment of God.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(12) Neighbours.The sharpest pang of the suffering came from the taunts of neighbours. (See Psa. 79:4.)
Sevenfold.As in Gen. 4:15. We naturally contrast the law of Christian forgiveness.
Into their bosom.The deep folds of the Eastern dress were used as a pocket. (Comp. Rth. 3:15; Isa. 65:7; Jer. 32:18; Luk. 6:38, &c)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
12. And render unto our neighbours Comp, Psa 79:6. These “neighbours” were the nations lying around Jerusalem, as the Tyrians, Syrians, Moabites, Edomites, who either helped the army of Nebuchadnezzar or exulted in the downfall of the Hebrew nation. See Psa 137:7; Eze 26:2.
Sevenfold That is, a full and complete recompense: seven is the number of fulness.
Into their bosom The orientals were accustomed to place valuable articles in a fold in the “ bosom” of their long, loose garments, for convenient carriage. See Luk 6:38; Isa 40:11. The same custom prevails now. It is formed by or above the wide girdle which encircles the waist. Instead of these valuables should now be the recompense of justice.
Reproached thee This reproach of God’s covenant people was a reproach to the name of God. It was his cause, and he is importuned to see to it. The Chaldaeans hereby inferred the inferiority of Jehovah to their patron god, Bel, or Belus, and thus boasted, as later tests show. See Dan 3:15; Dan 4:25; Dan 4:35; Dan 4:37; Dan 5:21; Dan 5:23. Sweet is the closing breath of the faith and thanksgiving of this mournful psalm:
So we thy people and the sheep of thy pasture
Will give thanks unto thee for ever,
We will declare thy praise to generation and generation.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 79:12. And render, &c. This seems to respect the Edomites chiefly. See Psalms 137.
REFLECTIONS.In this world the church of Christ is in a militant state: many are the troubles of the righteous; and whither can they so properly carry their complaints, as to him who is able to save them from the hands of their enemies? We have,
1st, The sorrowful complaint of the Israelites.
1. They are invaded, and their country laid waste. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance, where God himself abode, and his Israel dwelt by his gift. Thy holy temple have they defiled, by entering it, and setting up their abominations there; and this was a bitter grief to the righteous, to whom this temple was dearer than all they held beside. They have laid Jerusalem on heaps; burnt and desolate, and the inhabitants buried in the ruins. Note; The church of God may be sometimes brought to a very low state of misery, but shall rise as a phoenix from her ashes.
2. They were slain and exposed. The dead bodies of thy servants, who fell in the common calamity; for in national judgments it is often seen that the righteous perish with the wicked: or, in hatred to their memory, their enemies dug up their bodies from the graves; these they have given to be meat unto the fowls of the heavens, and the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.
3. They were reviled. We, the few survivors, are become a reproach to our neighbours: they insult over our fall: Psa 137:7 a scorn and derision to them that are round about us, who mock at our pretended relation to God, and our professions of expected relief. Note; It is no new thing for the people of God to be loaded with reproach, and turned into ridicule by their ungodly neighbours.
2nd, We have the requests of God’s people, under the pressure of their heavy afflictions.
1. They beg that God would avenge their quarrel in the punishment of their oppressors. Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen; which is not to be considered as an imprecation of private revenge, but of public justice, their evil character provoking the wrath of God, as it is added, that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name. Note; (1.) They who live in ignorance of God, and neglect of prayer, will assuredly be visited with his wrath. (2.) Though God permit his faithful people to be oppressed and harassed for a while, he will speedily avenge them of their persecutors.
2. They intreat him not to remember either their own former iniquities, or those of their forefathers, now also visited upon them; but that their consciences might be purged from guilt, and then they hope the sufferings, which were the effects of their sins, would cease. Note; The blood of Jesus alone can purge the conscience; to this therefore the sinner must apply.
3. They importunately pray for speedy deliverance, pleading the greatness of the affliction, and the glory of God concerned in their salvation. Let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us; for sinners have no merit to plead, nor hope but in God’s unbounded love. Their case required speedy relief, or they were undone; for we are brought very low, or weak, sin being the disease of the soul, and inevitably mortal, unless the Lord interpose to heal. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name, and deliver us. All other help they knew was vain; and their own strength but weakness: therefore they cast their care upon him, as every perishing sinner must do, trusting his promises, as the God of their salvation, and pleading his own glory, the most prevailing argument; for his name would be dishonoured by their enemies, if they were suffered to prevail and triumph with impunity. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? whilst in the salvation of his faithful people a large revenue of praise would accrue to him; and the deeper their distress, the more would he be magnified in their deliverance. Note; (1.) Our greatest extremity is frequently God’s opportunity. (2.) The reproaches cast upon God should be a greater grief to us, than any reproaches cast upon ourselves. (3.) When our distress is so great that we can only speak in sighs and groans, even that is a language which God will hear and answer.
4. They engage to render their hearty thanks for such mercy shewn them, So we thy people, and sheep of thy pasture, in which blessed relation they comforted themselves in confidence of speedy help, will give thee thanks for ever; the voice of prayer exchanged for praise, and their sighing turned into songs of joy. We will shew forth thy praise to all generations; recording the wonders of his grace, and ministering matter of thanksgiving to their grateful posterity. Note; (1.) Praise is the tribute that we owe for mercies; and, though ever paying, we must own ourselves poor, even in thanks. (2.) Our experience of divine grace and Providence should be transmitted to the succeeding ages, to engage their trust in God, and excite their praises.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
What is here spoken by way of prayer, is also to be considered as the language of faith. The Lord will recompense the wrongs of his people upon their enemies; and the Lord will secure the salvation of the just: they are his redeemed, and whoso toucheth them, toucheth the apple of his eye. Sweet consideration! Jesus knoweth them, owneth them, and will bless them, for they are his. And all his sheep must pass again under the hand of him that telleth them. Jer 33:13 ; Joh 10:27-28 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 79:12 And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.
Ver. 12. Into their bosom ] Full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, Luk 6:38 . See Isa 65:6-7 Jer 32:18 .
Wherewith they have reproached thee
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 79:12
Psa 79:12
“And render unto our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom
Their reproach wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.”
Most of the commentators have softened this imprecation by interpreting it to mean, not actually sevenfold, but, “`Complete or full’ vengeance; seven is one of the perfect numbers, and is used to denote `many.'” “The expression does not mean `seven times as much as they have done,’ but `completeness of retaliation.'” Well, maybe so; but there is also the possibility that Dahood had it right when he declared that, “This is a demand for vengeance of the most thorough-going kind, in the spirit of Lamech, who in Gen 4:24 assures his wives Adah and Zillah that, `If Cain is avenged seven times over, then Lamech seventy times seven.’
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 79:12. The word neighbors was not used in the sense of persons in a friendly relation. It meant those who were living near the Israelites and who took advantage of the opportunity to insult the people of God. Sevenis figurative, meaning for God to fold deal out a complete revenge upon these neighbors.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
render: Gen 4:15, Lev 26:21, Lev 26:28, Isa 65:5-7, Jer 32:18, Luk 6:38
wherewith: See note on Psa 44:16, and see note on Psa 74:18-22.
Reciprocal: Num 15:30 – reproacheth 1Sa 17:26 – reproach 2Ki 19:16 – which hath sent Neh 2:17 – a reproach Neh 4:4 – turn Psa 5:10 – let Psa 42:3 – while Psa 59:12 – For the Isa 37:17 – hear Isa 65:6 – but Jer 51:51 – are confounded Lam 5:1 – behold Heb 10:33 – by reproaches