Psalms 79:11

KJV

Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;

KJV (with Strong's)

Let the sighing {H603} of the prisoner {H615} come {H935}{H8799)} before {H6440} thee; according to the greatness {H1433} of thy power {H2220} preserve {H3498}{H8685)} thou those that are appointed {H1121} to die {H8546};

Complete Jewish Bible

Let the groaning of the captives come before you; by your great strength save those condemned to death.

Berean Standard Bible

May the groans of the captives reach You; by the strength of Your arm preserve those condemned to death.

American Standard Version

Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee: According to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to death;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 79:11 is a fervent and deeply poignant petition for divine intervention, arising from a communal lament in the aftermath of national catastrophe. It articulates the desperate cry of a people facing extreme suffering, captivity, and imminent death, appealing to God's immense power to preserve those on the brink of destruction. This verse encapsulates both profound anguish and unwavering trust in the Almighty's capacity to deliver even from the most dire circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 79 stands as a powerful communal lament, one of the most vivid in the Psalter, directly addressing the devastating aftermath of the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple. The preceding verses (79:1-7) graphically depict the desecration of God's holy dwelling, the slaughter of His servants, and the scattering of their bodies, leaving them exposed and humiliated among surrounding nations. The psalmist pleads for God's wrath against the invaders and for the restoration of His people's honor. Verse 11, therefore, is not an isolated cry but a specific, desperate appeal for the most vulnerable members of the community – those captured and facing execution – within this broader national lament for divine vindication and deliverance. It transitions from the general plea for the nation to a focused intercession for individuals in extreme peril.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm most likely reflects the anguish experienced during or immediately following the Babylonian exile (circa 586 BCE), when Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroyed Jerusalem, burned the Temple, and deported a significant portion of the Judean population to Babylon. This event was a profound theological crisis for Israel, as it challenged their understanding of God's covenant faithfulness and His dwelling among them. The "prisoner" (Hebrew: *'asir*) refers to those taken captive, often awaiting a grim fate, while "those that are appointed to die" (Hebrew: *b'nei th'mutah*, literally "sons of death") vividly describes individuals condemned to execution or facing certain demise in the brutal realities of ancient warfare and captivity. The cultural context emphasizes the shame and vulnerability of a defeated people, stripped of their land, temple, and dignity, making their appeal to God's power all the more urgent and culturally significant.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 79:11 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **divine justice and intervention**, appealing to God to act on behalf of His suffering people against their oppressors. Secondly, it highlights the **vulnerability of the oppressed** and God's particular concern for the downtrodden. The "sighing of the prisoner" and "those appointed to die" represent the epitome of helplessness, emphasizing God's compassion for those in extremis, a theme echoed in passages like [Psalm 102:20](/psalms/102-20 "Psalm 102:20 - God Hears the Groans of Prisoners") which speaks of God hearing the groans of the prisoners and setting free those appointed to die. Thirdly, it powerfully asserts **God's omnipotence** as the ultimate source of hope and deliverance. Despite the overwhelming despair, the psalmist anchors their plea in "the greatness of thy power," demonstrating an unwavering faith that God's strength is limitless and capable of overcoming any humanly impossible situation, a truth celebrated throughout Scripture, as seen in [Jeremiah 32:17](/jeremiah/32-17 "Jeremiah 32:17 - God's Great Power in Creation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sighing (Hebrew, _'enqath'_):** This word denotes a deep groan, a moaning, or a lament. It is not a casual sigh but an expression of profound agony, distress, and anguish that rises from the depths of one's being, often in response to oppression or suffering. It signifies a wordless cry that God is implored to hear and respond to.
* **Prisoner (Hebrew, _'asir'_):** Literally meaning "bound one" or "one who is tied up," this term refers to someone in captivity, imprisoned, or in chains. It conveys a state of utter helplessness, loss of freedom, and vulnerability to the will of captors, often implying a context of harsh treatment or impending doom.
* **Appointed to die (Hebrew, _b'nei th'mutah'_):** This vivid and stark phrase literally translates to "sons of death" or "those belonging to death." It describes individuals who are condemned, destined for execution, or facing certain death, often as a result of war, captivity, or judicial decree. It underscores their extreme peril and the imminence of their demise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee;":** This opening clause is a passionate imperative prayer, a direct appeal to God. The "sighing" (a deep, wordless groan of agony) of the "prisoner" (the captive, the bound one) is personified and presented as an offering or petition brought directly into God's presence. It emphasizes the psalmist's conviction that God is not distant but attentive to the deepest, most inarticulate cries of His suffering people. It highlights the desperation and the profound trust that God hears even the unspoken anguish.
* **"according to the greatness of thy power":** This phrase serves as the theological ground for the preceding and following petitions. The psalmist appeals not to God's pity alone, but to the very magnitude of His omnipotence. It is a declaration of faith that God's power is limitless, sufficient to overcome any obstacle, and capable of achieving what is humanly impossible. The request for preservation is anchored in God's infinite strength, not human merit or ability.
* **"preserve thou those that are appointed to die;":** This is the specific, urgent request. The verb "preserve" (Hebrew: *shamar*) means to guard, keep, deliver, or protect. It is a plea for active divine intervention to save those who are literally "sons of death"—those condemned, facing execution, or on the brink of annihilation. It is a cry for life in the face of certain death, for rescue from the most extreme form of vulnerability and despair.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 79:11 employs several powerful literary devices to heighten its emotional impact and theological significance. The most prominent is **Personification**, where the "sighing" is given agency, implored to "come before" God, as if it were a direct messenger carrying the desperate plea of the oppressed. This elevates the wordless groan to a potent form of prayer. The phrase "appointed to die" (literally "sons of death") is a striking example of **Metonymy** or **Periphrasis**, where a characteristic or consequence (death) stands for the people experiencing it, vividly emphasizing their dire fate. It also borders on **Hyperbole**, underscoring the extreme nature of their peril. The entire verse is an example of **Apostrophe**, a direct address to God ("thee"), creating an intimate and urgent tone. Finally, the juxtaposition of the extreme vulnerability of the "prisoner" and "those appointed to die" with the "greatness of thy power" creates a powerful **Antithesis**, highlighting the vast disparity between human weakness and divine omnipotence, thereby magnifying God's potential for miraculous deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 79:11 profoundly connects to the biblical understanding of God's character as one who hears the cries of the afflicted and possesses infinite power to deliver. It speaks to the enduring nature of prayer in suffering, demonstrating that even in the darkest moments, when human help is absent, God remains the ultimate refuge. The verse's emphasis on God's preservation of the most vulnerable foreshadows the broader biblical narrative of God's preferential option for the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized. It is a testament to the theological truth that God's power is most gloriously displayed in rescuing those who are utterly helpless, transforming despair into hope through His sovereign intervention.

* [Psalm 102:20](/psalms/102-20 "Psalm 102:20 - God Hears the Groans of Prisoners")
* [Jeremiah 32:17](/jeremiah/32-17 "Jeremiah 32:17 - God's Great Power in Creation")
* [Luke 1:52](/luke/1-52 "Luke 1:52 - Mary's Magnificat on God's Justice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 79:11 offers profound encouragement and a vital framework for believers navigating personal and corporate suffering today. It reminds us that our deepest anguish, even the wordless "sighing" that transcends articulation, is heard and acknowledged by a compassionate God. In moments of overwhelming despair, when we feel "appointed to die" – whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually – this verse calls us to anchor our hope not in our own strength or external circumstances, but in the "greatness of thy power." It challenges us to expand our empathy beyond our immediate circles, to remember and intercede for those globally who are truly prisoners, victims of injustice, persecution, or violence, and those facing imminent death. This psalm transforms our personal lament into a communal prayer for justice and deliverance, compelling us to both pray fervently and act compassionately, reflecting God's heart for the vulnerable.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "sighing" or deep anguish in your life or in the world feels unheard, and how does this verse encourage you to bring it before God?**
* **In what situations do you feel "appointed to die" (metaphorically or literally), and how can you lean into the "greatness of God's power" for preservation?**
* **How does this psalm challenge you to pray for and advocate for those who are truly imprisoned or facing oppression in our world today?**

### FAQ

**Does God truly hear wordless groans or "sighing"?**

Answer: Yes, absolutely. The Bible consistently affirms that God is intimately attentive to the cries of His people, even those that are inarticulate or wordless. Psalms 79:11 specifically petitions for the "sighing" to come before God, indicating that such expressions of deep distress are recognized and responded to by Him. This concept is further developed in the New Testament, where [Romans 8:26](/romans/8-26 "Romans 8:26 - The Spirit Intercedes with Groans") teaches that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us "with groans that words cannot express," confirming that God understands and responds to our deepest, unarticulated needs and anguish.

**How does "the greatness of thy power" relate to human suffering?**

Answer: The phrase "according to the greatness of thy power" serves as the foundation for the psalmist's plea for preservation. It acknowledges that human suffering, especially that leading to captivity and imminent death, is often beyond human capacity to overcome. By appealing to God's "greatness of power," the psalmist expresses profound faith that God's omnipotence transcends all human limitations and dire circumstances. It's a declaration that no situation is too dire, no enemy too strong, and no fate too certain for God to intervene and deliver. This echoes the truth found in [Luke 1:37](/luke/1-37 "Luke 1:37 - For Nothing Will Be Impossible with God"), "For nothing will be impossible with God."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 79:11 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "sighing of the prisoner" and the plight of "those appointed to die" resonate deeply with humanity's universal bondage to sin and the ultimate sentence of death. Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), entered into this human condition, experiencing profound suffering and ultimately being "appointed to die" on the cross, not for His own sin, but for the sins of the world. Through His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus demonstrated the "greatness of thy power" in its most magnificent form, conquering sin and death itself. He is the one who proclaims [liberty to the captives](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus Proclaims Liberty to the Captives") and [sets the prisoners free](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord on Me to Proclaim Liberty"). Believers, once "appointed to die" in their trespasses, are now, through faith in Christ, preserved unto eternal life, delivered from the power of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of His beloved Son (as seen in [Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from the Domain of Darkness")). Thus, the ancient plea for preservation becomes a glorious reality in the Christ who delivers us from the ultimate prison and the final death sentence.

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

Psalms 102:20

To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;

Psalms 146:6

Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein [is]: which keepeth truth for ever:

Psalms 146:7

Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:

Psalms 69:33

For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.

Psalms 12:5

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set [him] in safety [from him that] puffeth at him.

Isaiah 42:7

To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, [and] them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Exodus 2:23

¶ And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.