Psalms 79:1-4

Psalms 79:1-4

[1] [[A Psalm  of Asaph.]]  O God,  the heathen  are come  into thine inheritance;  thy holy  temple  have they defiled;  they have laid  Jerusalem  on heaps.  [2] 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.  [3] Their blood  have they shed  like water  round about  Jerusalem;  and there was none to bury  [4] We are become a reproach  to our neighbours,  a scorn  and derision  to them that are round about 

What does Psalms 79:1-4 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Enemies had invaded Israel, defiled the temple, destroyed Jerusalem, and left the bodies of Israel"s soldiers unburied. To lie unburied, like an animal for which no one cared, was the final humiliation. Consequently, God"s inheritance had become an object of derision for her neighbors.
"The issue here is not God"s justice in judging his people but the means used by the Lord [1]. The pagans must be held accountable for their desecration of the holy people and the holy temple so that they may be restored and God"s people no longer experience defilement and disgrace (cf. Isaiah 35:8; Isaiah 52:1)." [2]