Psalms 78:50

KJV

He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;

KJV (with Strong's)

He made {H6424}{H8762)} a way {H5410} to his anger {H639}; he spared {H2820}{H8804)} not their soul {H5315} from death {H4194}, but gave {H5462} their life {H2416} over {H5462}{H8689)} to the pestilence {H1698};

Complete Jewish Bible

to clear a path for his wrath. He did not spare them from death, but gave them over to the plague,

Berean Standard Bible

He cleared a path for His anger; He did not spare them from death but delivered their lives to the plague.

American Standard Version

He made a path for his anger; He spared not their soul from death, But gave their life over to the pestilence,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 78:50 presents a stark depiction of God's deliberate and sovereign judgment, specifically in the context of the plagues unleashed upon Egypt. It underscores the intentionality of divine wrath, demonstrating that God actively cleared the path for His anger to manifest, withholding no mercy from those who defied Him, ultimately delivering their lives over to destructive pestilence. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the severe consequences of rebellion against the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 78 is a lengthy didactic psalm, serving as a historical recounting of God's faithfulness to Israel and their repeated rebellion from the Exodus through the establishment of the Davidic monarchy. The psalm's primary purpose is to instruct future generations, urging them to learn from the past and avoid the mistakes of their ancestors. Verses 43-51 specifically detail the plagues God inflicted upon Egypt, highlighting His power and justice. Within this sequence, verse 50 acts as a climactic statement regarding the severity of the penultimate plague, the pestilence, emphasizing God's direct agency in bringing about this judgment. It sets the stage for the final, most devastating plague—the death of the firstborn—which immediately follows in the narrative ([Psalm 78:51](/psalms/78-51 "Psalm 78:51 - Death of the Firstborn")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalm 78:50 is the Exodus narrative, particularly the plagues sent upon Egypt as recorded in [Exodus 7-12](/exodus/7 "Exodus 7 - The Plagues Begin"). Pharaoh's persistent refusal to release the Israelites, despite repeated warnings and initial judgments, hardened his heart and provoked God's escalating wrath. In the ancient Near East, plagues and pestilence were often understood as direct manifestations of divine displeasure or the power of a deity. The specific plague of pestilence, which afflicted livestock and humans, demonstrated Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over life and death, directly challenging the power of Egyptian gods and Pharaoh himself, who was considered a divine king. This context underscores that God's actions were not arbitrary but a just response to prolonged defiance and oppression.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 78 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Wrath**, portraying God as actively paving the way for His righteous indignation, implying an unstoppable force against hardened hearts, as seen in [Exodus 9:15-16](/exodus/9-15 "Exodus 9:15-16 - God's Power Displayed"). Secondly, it underscores the **Consequences of Disobedience**, demonstrating that defiance against God, exemplified by Pharaoh, inevitably leads to severe and deadly outcomes. God's refusal to "spare their soul from death" illustrates the ultimate cost of rebellion. Thirdly, the verse affirms **God's Sovereignty over Life and Death**, depicting Him as the ultimate arbiter, possessing the power to "give their life over to the pestilence." This theme resonates throughout Scripture, reminding us that God is the author of life and has ultimate authority over its end ([1 Samuel 2:6](/1_samuel/2-6 "1 Samuel 2:6 - God Brings Death and Life")). Finally, it emphasizes **Pestilence as a Divine Instrument**, showcasing this widespread plague as a common form of divine judgment in the Old Testament, often mentioned alongside famine and war ([Jeremiah 14:12](/jeremiah/14-12 "Jeremiah 14:12 - Famine, Sword, and Pestilence")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Made a way (Hebrew, פנה, _panah_):** This verb means "to turn," "to clear," or "to prepare a way." In this context, it vividly conveys God's active and deliberate removal of obstacles, ensuring that His anger could proceed unimpeded. It's not a passive allowance but an intentional act of clearing the path for judgment, emphasizing His sovereignty and purposefulness in the unfolding of events.
* **Anger (Hebrew, אף, _'aph_):** Literally meaning "nose" or "nostril," this word is commonly used metaphorically to denote "anger" or "wrath," often depicted as a flaring of the nostrils. Here, it refers to God's holy and righteous indignation against sin and rebellion. It is not an uncontrolled outburst but a just and deserved response to Pharaoh's persistent defiance and oppression of God's people.
* **Pestilence (Hebrew, דבר, _deber_):** This term refers to a widespread plague, epidemic, or murrain, often with the connotation of a divinely sent affliction. In the context of the Exodus, it specifically refers to the plague that struck the livestock of Egypt ([Exodus 9:3](/exodus/9-3 "Exodus 9:3 - Plague on Livestock")) and potentially also affected humans, signifying a severe and pervasive judgment directly from God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He made a way to his anger":** This powerful anthropomorphic statement describes God as actively and intentionally clearing all impediments to the full expression of His righteous wrath. It implies a deliberate, calculated action, not a spontaneous outburst, ensuring that His judgment would be fully executed against those who defied Him. This phrase underscores God's sovereignty and His unhindered ability to bring about His purposes.
* **"he spared not their soul from death":** This clause emphasizes the absolute nature of God's judgment. "Soul" (נפש, _nephesh_) here refers to the very life or being of the Egyptians. God's decision to "spare not" indicates a complete absence of mercy or restraint in this specific act of judgment, allowing death to claim its victims. It highlights the ultimate and irreversible consequence of their rebellion.
* **"but gave their life over to the pestilence":** This final clause specifies the instrument of death and further reinforces God's direct agency. God "gave over" or "delivered" their lives to the plague, making it clear that the pestilence was not a random natural disaster but a divinely ordained means of judgment. This underscores God's ultimate control over life and death, and His use of natural forces to achieve His righteous ends.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 78:50 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Anthropomorphism** is prominent in the phrase "He made a way to his anger," attributing human-like action (clearing a path) to God to illustrate His deliberate and unhindered resolve in judgment. This vivid imagery emphasizes the intentionality and directness of divine wrath. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where "he spared not their soul from death" is echoed and intensified by "but gave their life over to the pestilence." This reinforces the severity and totality of the judgment, showing that God's decision not to spare life was directly manifested through the plague. The starkness of the language, particularly "spared not their soul from death," also contributes to a sense of **Hyperbole** or extreme emphasis, highlighting the devastating and comprehensive nature of God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 78:50 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's justice and the inevitable consequences of unrepentant sin. It reveals a God who is not only merciful and long-suffering but also holy and just, capable of unleashing His righteous wrath when His patience is exhausted and defiance persists. This verse reminds us that God's attributes are in perfect balance; His love does not negate His justice, nor does His mercy preclude judgment. The deliberate nature of His "making a way" for His anger underscores His sovereignty and intentionality in all His dealings with humanity, whether in grace or in judgment. This divine action, while severe, is always righteous, a response to profound rebellion and oppression.

* [Exodus 9:15-16](/exodus/9-15 "Exodus 9:15-16 - God's Power Displayed Against Pharaoh")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Revealed Against Ungodliness")
* [Hebrews 10:31](/hebrews/10-31 "Hebrews 10:31 - A Terrifying Thing to Fall into God's Hands")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse, while depicting a fearsome aspect of God's character, calls us to a deeper understanding of His holiness and the gravity of sin. It compels us to recognize that while God is abundant in mercy, His justice is equally profound and will not be mocked indefinitely. For believers today, Psalm 78:50 serves not as a source of fear for those in Christ, but as a sobering reminder of the ultimate cost of rebellion against a holy God. It should cultivate a profound reverence for God's authority and a deep appreciation for the grace extended to us through Jesus Christ. Understanding the severity of God's judgment in history should motivate us to live lives of obedience, gratitude, and humble submission, recognizing that our actions have eternal consequences. It also encourages us to share the good news of salvation, which offers deliverance from the wrath to come.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Psalm 78:50 shape your understanding of God's character, particularly His justice and sovereignty?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the seriousness of sin and the consequences of persistent disobedience?**
* **How does the concept of God's deliberate judgment, as seen here, lead you to a deeper appreciation for His mercy and grace in your own life?**

### FAQ
**Does Psalm 78:50 imply that God's anger is arbitrary or uncontrolled?**

Answer: No, the phrase "He made a way to his anger" specifically implies the opposite. It conveys a deliberate, intentional, and sovereign act. God's anger, or wrath, in Scripture is never portrayed as an arbitrary or uncontrolled outburst. Instead, it is consistently presented as a just and righteous response to persistent sin, rebellion, and the rejection of His commands and warnings. In the context of the plagues against Egypt, God's judgment was a measured response to Pharaoh's hardened heart and his oppression of God's chosen people, despite numerous opportunities for repentance ([Exodus 7:3-5](/exodus/7-3 "Exodus 7:3-5 - God Hardens Pharaoh's Heart")). This verse highlights God's purposeful action in bringing about judgment, demonstrating His absolute control and righteous indignation.

**How can a God of love also be a God who "spared not their soul from death" and brings pestilence?**

Answer: This question touches on the tension between God's love and His justice, a central theme throughout Scripture. While God is indeed love ([1 John 4:8](/1_john/4-8 "1 John 4:8 - God is Love")), His love is not sentimental or devoid of holiness. His justice demands a response to sin and rebellion. The plagues, including pestilence, were not acts of cruelty but righteous judgments against a system and a ruler that defied God and oppressed His people. God's love is perfectly balanced with His holiness, righteousness, and justice. His allowing death and pestilence demonstrates that sin has real and deadly consequences, and that a holy God must act against unrighteousness. Ultimately, it is this very justice that makes the demonstration of His love through Christ so profound, as He provided a way for humanity to escape the deserved judgment ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love in Christ's Death")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 78:50, while describing God's judgment on Egypt, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "anger" of God, which was made a way for against the rebellious Egyptians, is the same holy wrath that humanity justly deserves due to sin. Yet, in an act of unparalleled divine love, God "made a way" for His Son to bear this very anger on the cross. Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), enduring the full measure of divine judgment that we, like Pharaoh's people, justly deserved. He was "spared not" from death, but willingly gave His life, not to pestilence, but to the curse of sin, becoming a curse for us ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse")). Through His atoning death, Christ absorbed the pestilence of sin and its deadly consequences, offering deliverance from spiritual death and eternal separation from God. His resurrection then demonstrated His triumph over death and the grave, providing a path to life for all who believe, ensuring that for those in Him, there is now "no condemnation" ([Romans 8:1-2](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1-2 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). Thus, the terrifying judgment described in Psalm 78:50 magnifies the immeasurable grace and mercy found in Christ, who bore the wrath so that we might receive eternal life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 7:4

And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Romans 8:32

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Ezekiel 8:18

Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, [yet] will I not hear them.

2 Peter 2:4

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

2 Peter 2:5

And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Ezekiel 9:10

And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, [but] I will recompense their way upon their head.

Ezekiel 5:11

Wherefore, [as] I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish [thee]; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.