Psalms 78:63

The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.

The fire {H784} consumed {H398}{H8804)} their young men {H970}; and their maidens {H1330} were not given to marriage {H1984}{H8795)}.

Fire consumed their young men, their virgins had no wedding-song,

Fire consumed His young men, and their maidens were left without wedding songs.

Fire devoured their young men; And their virgins had no marriage-song.

Commentary

Psalm 78:63 KJV delivers a stark depiction of the devastating consequences of Israelโ€™s disobedience and Godโ€™s subsequent judgment. This verse, "The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage," encapsulates the profound societal and generational impact of divine wrath.

Context

Psalm 78 is a historical psalm, recounting God's faithful dealings with Israel from the Exodus through the time of David, contrasting it with Israel's repeated rebellion and idolatry. Verses 60-64 specifically describe a period of severe judgment, particularly focusing on God's abandonment of the tabernacle at Shiloh and the subsequent defeat of Israel. This passage alludes directly to the catastrophic events described in 1 Samuel 4:10-11, where the Philistines utterly defeated Israel, killing thousands of their soldiers and capturing the Ark of the Covenant. The "fire" here likely symbolizes the consuming nature of war or plague, a manifestation of God's judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The verse vividly illustrates the severe repercussions of Israel's unfaithfulness. God's patience has limits, and His justice demands accountability for persistent rebellion. This judgment resulted in widespread death and societal breakdown.
  • Loss and Devastation: The death of "young men" signifies the loss of a generation of warriors, leaders, and providers, essential for the nation's strength and future. This military defeat was a profound national humiliation.
  • Societal Collapse: The phrase "their maidens were not given to marriage" highlights the deep social and demographic impact. With young men dead, there were no suitable partners for the women, leading to a breakdown of family structures, a halt in generational continuity, and a sense of hopelessness for the future. This was a significant part of the curses prophesied for disobedience in Deuteronomy.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "consumed" (ืึธื›ึทืœ - 'akal) is a strong verb meaning to eat, devour, or destroy. When used in connection with "fire" (ืึตืฉื - 'esh), it emphasizes a thorough and destructive action, often metaphorically representing God's fierce wrath or a devastating calamity. The imagery is not just of death, but of utter destruction and desolation.

Practical Application

Psalm 78:63 serves as a powerful reminder that choices have consequences, both for individuals and for nations. It underscores the seriousness of spiritual rebellion and the importance of faithfulness to God. For believers today, it encourages introspection on our own obedience and reminds us that while God is merciful, He is also just. It highlights the far-reaching impact of sin, which can affect not only the present generation but also the prospects of future generations. Understanding this historical judgment helps us appreciate God's subsequent grace and His ultimate plan of redemption through Christ, who bore the ultimate judgment for our sins (Isaiah 53:5).

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 7:34

    Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.

  • Jeremiah 16:9

    For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.

  • Psalms 78:21

    Therefore the LORD heard [this], and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;

  • Deuteronomy 29:20

    The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

  • Numbers 11:1

    ยถ And [when] the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard [it]; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed [them that were] in the uttermost parts of the camp.

  • Jeremiah 25:10

    Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.

  • Isaiah 4:1

    ยถ And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.
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