Psalms 79:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

The dead bodies {H5038} of thy servants {H5650} have they given {H5414}{H8804)} to be meat {H3978} unto the fowls {H5775} of the heaven {H8064}, the flesh {H1320} of thy saints {H2623} unto the beasts {H2416} of the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They have given the corpses of your servants as food for the birds in the air, yes, the flesh of those faithful to you for the wild animals of the earth.

Berean Standard Bible

They have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.

American Standard Version

The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be food unto the birds of the heavens, The flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 79:2 is a profound and visceral lament, articulating the horrific desecration and indignity suffered by God's people during a devastating national catastrophe. It graphically portrays the unburied bodies of the faithful, left as carrion for scavenging birds and wild beasts, a scene of utter defilement that underscores the depth of Israel's humiliation, suffering, and perceived abandonment by God in the face of their enemies' triumph.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 79 belongs to a collection of communal laments, particularly those (like [Psalm 74](/psalms/74 "Psalm 74 - A Lament Over the Desecration of the Temple")) that cry out to God in the aftermath of a national disaster. The psalm begins with a direct and anguished address to God, detailing the invasion and defilement of His "holy temple" and "Jerusalem" ([Psalm 79:1](/psalms/79-1 "Psalm 79:1 - God, the Nations Have Invaded Your Inheritance")). Verse 2, along with its parallel in verse 3 ("Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them"), vividly depicts the human cost of this invasion, emphasizing the sheer scale of death and the profound insult of unburied bodies. This gruesome imagery serves as a powerful, emotionally charged foundation for the psalm's subsequent appeals for divine intervention, vengeance, and restoration, which are rooted in God's glory and covenant faithfulness ([Psalm 79:5-13](/psalms/79-5-13 "Psalm 79:5-13 - Plea for Deliverance and Vengeance")). The verse thus functions as a stark portrayal of the crisis, intensifying the urgency of the psalmist's plea.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The overwhelming scholarly consensus attributes Psalm 79 to the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple by the Babylonian empire in 586 BC. This devastating event is meticulously documented in historical books such as [2 Kings 25:8-10](/2_kings/25-8-10 "2 Kings 25:8-10 - Nebuchadnezzar Burns the Temple and Jerusalem") and vividly lamented in prophetic works like [Jeremiah 52:12-14](/jeremiah/52-12-14 "Jeremiah 52:12-14 - Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple"). For ancient Near Eastern cultures, proper burial was not merely a custom but a sacred and indispensable rite, signifying respect for the deceased and believed to ensure their peaceful transition. To be left unburied, as depicted in Psalm 79:2, was considered the ultimate curse and a profound disgrace, denying the deceased honor and peace, and bringing immense shame upon their families and community. This act of desecration was not merely an unfortunate consequence of war but often a deliberate act of humiliation, intended to strip the conquered of all dignity, even in death. The imagery in this verse thus evokes a horror deeply rooted in the cultural understanding of death, honor, and curse, making the suffering depicted all the more acutely felt by the original audience.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 79:2 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully conveys the **Theme of Desecration and Indignity**, highlighting the profound disrespect shown to God's faithful servants even in death, a stark contrast to the honor due to those who serve the Lord. Secondly, it underscores the **Theme of Profound Suffering and Lament**, giving voice to the deep anguish experienced by a people witnessing the brutal aftermath of invasion and the apparent abandonment by their covenant God. This suffering is not merely physical but spiritual, challenging their understanding of divine justice and protection. Thirdly, the verse fuels the **Theme of Divine Appeal and Vengeance**, as the horrific scene serves as a compelling argument for God to act on behalf of His defiled name and people. The psalmist's desperate plea is rooted in the unbearable reality described here, urging God to remember His covenant and intervene. Finally, though not explicit in this verse alone, the broader context of national calamity in the Old Testament often implies the **Theme of Covenant Consequences**, where such devastation is understood, in part, as a result of Israel's disobedience, as warned in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "Deuteronomy 28:26 - Unburied Bodies as a Curse") and prophesied in [Jeremiah 16:4](/jeremiah/16-4 "Jeremiah 16:4 - Prophecy of Unburied Dead").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Servant (Hebrew, _ʻebed'_):** This term (H5650) refers to one who serves, implying a relationship of devotion, obedience, and belonging. In Psalm 79:2, the plural possessive form "thy servants" identifies the victims not merely as Israelites, but as those who specifically belonged to and served Yahweh. Their suffering is thus not just a human tragedy but a direct affront to God Himself, as His devoted "servants" are desecrated. This heightens the theological tension of the lament, challenging God's honor and covenant fidelity.
* **Saint (Hebrew, _châçîyd'_):** The word (H2623) derives from _hesed_, meaning "covenant loyalty" or "steadfast love." "Saints" or "godly ones" refers to those who are loyal, devout, and committed to God's covenant. The parallelism with "servants" reinforces the idea that these are not just ordinary people, but those who are especially devoted and righteous in God's eyes. The desecration of their bodies, therefore, represents an even deeper insult, as it targets those who embody faithfulness to the Lord, making their fate particularly grievous and deserving of divine attention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The dead bodies of thy servants have they given [to be] meat unto the fowls of the heaven":** This clause paints a gruesome and immediate picture of the aftermath of battle and slaughter. "Thy servants" identifies the victims as those belonging to God, making their desecration a direct affront to Him. The phrase "given [to be] meat" is stark and deliberate, indicating that the bodies were not merely left unburied by neglect, but actively abandoned as sustenance for scavenging birds. This was a profound act of dehumanization and a deliberate curse, denying the basic human dignity of burial and reducing the deceased to mere carrion, a symbol of utter defeat and contempt.
* **"the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth":** This second clause functions in powerful synonymous parallelism with the first, intensifying the horror and broadening its scope. "The flesh of thy saints" reiterates the identity of the victims as God's faithful, emphasizing their physical remains. The expansion to "beasts of the earth" suggests a widespread and uncontrolled defilement across the land, implying a complete breakdown of order and human respect. The imagery is designed to evoke maximum revulsion and despair, highlighting the utter lack of reverence for the dead and the complete reversal of divine order and human dignity.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 79:2 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of horror and lament. The most prominent is **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second half of the verse ("the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth") reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first half ("The dead bodies of thy servants have they given [to be] meat unto the fowls of the heaven"). "Dead bodies" is paralleled by "flesh," "thy servants" by "thy saints," and "fowls of the heaven" by "beasts of the earth." This repetition amplifies the tragedy and underscores the comprehensive nature of the desecration, emphasizing the total indignity inflicted upon God's people. The verse also utilizes **Vivid Imagery**, creating a stark and unforgettable mental picture of unburied corpses being consumed by scavengers. This gruesome visual is designed to evoke strong emotional responses—horror, grief, outrage, and despair—and to underscore the profound indignity and suffering experienced by God's people. Furthermore, the use of **Metonymy** is present, where "dead bodies" and "flesh" stand in for the entire person, emphasizing the physical desecration as a complete assault on human dignity and identity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 79:2, with its graphic depiction of desecrated bodies, raises profound theological questions about divine justice, the problem of evil, and God's apparent silence in the face of immense suffering. It challenges the conventional understanding of God's protection over His chosen people, forcing a confrontation with the brutal reality of national catastrophe and the consequences of sin. Yet, within the broader context of the lament, it also serves as a powerful appeal to God's covenant faithfulness and His ultimate sovereignty. The psalmist, by presenting such a horrific scene, implicitly calls upon God to remember His own honor and the preciousness of His "saints," thereby invoking His righteous vengeance and restorative power. This verse thus becomes a testament to the raw honesty of biblical lament, where deep pain and theological struggle are brought directly before God, trusting in His eventual response and justice.

* [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "Deuteronomy 28:26 - Covenant Curses and Unburied Bodies")
* [Psalms 116:15](/psalms/116-15 "Psalm 116:15 - Precious in the Sight of the Lord is the Death of His Saints")
* [Revelation 11:9](/revelation/11-9 "Revelation 11:9 - Unburied Bodies of God's Witnesses")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 79:2, though depicting a specific historical horror, resonates deeply with the universal experience of suffering, injustice, and the violation of human dignity. It reminds us that the Bible does not shy away from the brutal realities of a fallen world, even when God's people are the victims. This honest portrayal can be a profound source of comfort for those who feel abandoned, whose suffering seems incomprehensible, or whose dignity has been stripped away; it validates their pain and gives voice to their lament. The verse also underscores the profound value of human life and the inherent dignity of every individual, even in death. The outrage expressed over unburied bodies calls us to advocate for humane treatment, to uphold the sanctity of life from conception to natural end, and to respect the deceased, even in times of conflict and despair. Ultimately, like the psalmist, we are called to bring our deepest laments, our cries for justice, and our questions of "why?" before God, trusting that even in the darkest moments, He hears the cries of His people and remains sovereign, working towards ultimate justice and restoration, both in this life and in the life to come.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the graphic imagery of Psalm 79:2 challenge or affirm your understanding of God's presence and sovereignty in the midst of profound suffering?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, be called to uphold human dignity and advocate for justice, even in the face of overwhelming injustice or violence today?**
* **What does this psalm teach us about the importance and nature of lament in our prayer lives when confronting seemingly unanswered suffering or when witnessing the desecration of human life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of proper burial in ancient Israel and why was its denial such a profound horror?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, and indeed across the ancient Near East, proper burial was not merely a custom but a deeply significant religious and cultural imperative. It was seen as an act of profound respect for the deceased, a means of ensuring their peaceful rest, and a final expression of human dignity. To be denied burial, as depicted in [Psalm 79:2](/psalms/79-2 "Psalm 79:2 - Unburied Bodies"), was considered one of the greatest curses and humiliations, a fate worse than death itself. It signified that the deceased was utterly rejected, both by humans and, seemingly, by God. This denial of burial was often prophesied as a consequence of severe disobedience to God's covenant (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "Deuteronomy 28:26 - Covenant Curses and Unburied Bodies"), [Jeremiah 8:2](/jeremiah/8-2 "Jeremiah 8:2 - Unburied Bodies as a Sign of Judgment")), making its fulfillment in Psalm 79 a sign of profound divine judgment and national catastrophe. It stripped the dead of their identity and reduced them to mere carrion, a stark symbol of utter defeat and desecration that violated both human and divine order.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalm 79:2 laments the horrific desecration of God's devoted servants, its harrowing imagery finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate suffering and apparent abandonment of Jesus Christ, the perfect Servant and Saint of God. The indignity of the unburied bodies foreshadows the brutal, public execution of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who was "pierced for our transgressions" and "crushed for our iniquities" ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ's Suffering for Our Transgressions")). Though Jesus was mercifully granted a burial by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus ([John 19:38-42](/john/19-38-42 "John 19:38-42 - Burial of Jesus")), His death on the cross was itself an act of profound public shame and degradation, a curse designed to strip Him of all dignity, much like the unburied bodies of Psalm 79. He endured the ultimate curse, "hung on a tree" ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")), to redeem humanity. Yet, unlike the permanent desecration lamented by the psalmist, Christ's death was not the end. His glorious resurrection on the third day ([1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - Christ's Death, Burial, and Resurrection")) triumphantly reversed the indignity of death, demonstrating that even the grave could not hold Him. In Christ, the ultimate "servant" and "saint," God not only vindicates His suffering but transforms it into the very source of life and hope for all who believe, ensuring that through Him, we are "more than conquerors" over the forces of death, desecration, and all spiritual opposition ([Romans 8:37-39](/romans/8-37-39 "Romans 8:37-39 - More Than Conquerors Through Christ")).

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

Jeremiah 7:33

And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray [them] away.

Jeremiah 34:20

I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.

Jeremiah 16:4

They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; [but] they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

Deuteronomy 28:26

And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray [them] away.

Jeremiah 19:7

And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcases will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

Jeremiah 15:3

And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.