Psalms 79:3

KJV

Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and [there was] none to bury [them].

KJV (with Strong's)

Their blood {H1818} have they shed {H8210}{H8804)} like water {H4325} round about {H5439} Jerusalem {H3389}; and there was none to bury {H6912}{H8802)} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

All around Yerushalayim they have shed their blood like water, and no one is left to bury them.

Berean Standard Bible

They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.

American Standard Version

Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; And there was none to bury them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 79:3 offers a harrowing depiction of the aftermath of a devastating foreign invasion of Jerusalem, likely referring to the Babylonian destruction of 586 BC. This verse, embedded within a communal lament, vividly portrays the indiscriminate slaughter of the inhabitants, whose blood is shed in such abundance that it's likened to water, and emphasizes the profound indignity of their unburied bodies, a stark violation of ancient Near Eastern burial customs. It underscores the overwhelming scale of the catastrophe and the deep anguish of the survivors.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 79 is a powerful communal lament, one of several psalms (e.g., [Psalm 74](/psalms/74 "Psalm 74 - A Lament Over the Desecration of the Temple")) that cry out to God in the wake of national disaster. The preceding verses establish the horrific scene: foreign nations have invaded God's inheritance, defiled His holy temple, and reduced Jerusalem to ruins. [Psalm 79:1-2](/psalms/79-1 "Psalm 79:1-2 - The Desecration of God's Inheritance") speaks of the Gentiles entering God's inheritance and defiling His holy temple, and giving the bodies of His servants as food to birds and beasts. This verse amplifies this horror, focusing specifically on the sheer scale of the massacre and the profound indignity suffered by the dead, whose unburied bodies become carrion. The psalm then moves into an appeal for God's intervention, vengeance, and restoration, characteristic of the lament genre.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The most widely accepted historical backdrop for Psalm 79 is the Babylonian invasion and destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple in 586 BC. This event was not merely a military defeat but a profound theological crisis for Israel, as it challenged their understanding of God's covenant promises and His dwelling among them. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, proper burial was an extremely important religious and social duty, signifying respect for the dead and ensuring their rest. To be left unburied was considered a grave curse, a final indignity, and a sign of utter desolation and divine judgment, as seen in prophetic warnings in [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "Deuteronomy 28:26 - The Curse of Unburied Bodies") and [Jeremiah 8:2](/jeremiah/8-2 "Jeremiah 8:2 - Unburied Bodies in Jerusalem"). The image of blood shed "like water" highlights the indiscriminate and abundant nature of the slaughter, emphasizing the invaders' complete disregard for human life and dignity.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **desecration of God's people and land**, illustrating the depths of the invaders' brutality and the resulting profound suffering. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **divine judgment and its consequences**, as the people wrestle with how such a catastrophe could befall them, given their covenant relationship with God. While the psalm laments the actions of the Gentiles, it implicitly acknowledges Israel's sin as a contributing factor to their vulnerability, a common theme in prophetic literature (e.g., [Lamentations 1](/lamentations/1 "Lamentations 1 - Jerusalem's Desolation")). Thirdly, the lack of burial emphasizes the theme of **indignity and dishonor**, which was a severe punishment in ancient thought, further intensifying the lament. Finally, the verse sets the stage for the psalm's subsequent appeal for **God's justice and vindication**, as the psalmist calls upon God to remember His name and avenge the blood of His servants, a theme echoed in other laments like [Psalm 74:10-11](/psalms/74-10 "Psalm 74:10-11 - How Long, O God?").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blood (Hebrew, _dam'_):** The term "blood" here refers not just to the physical fluid but stands metonymically for life itself, particularly human life. Its shedding signifies violent death and the taking of life. The imagery of blood spilled "like water" emphasizes the sheer quantity and the ease with which lives were extinguished, implying a complete lack of regard for human sanctity. This evokes a sense of overwhelming loss and the brutal indifference of the attackers.
* **Like water (Hebrew, _kammayim'_):** This powerful simile conveys several layers of meaning. It suggests the **abundance** of the blood, indicating a massive slaughter. It also implies the **ease and recklessness** with which it was shed, as if it were a common, valueless substance. Furthermore, water, once spilled, cannot be gathered, suggesting the **irrevocability** of the deaths and the impossibility of recovery or restoration for those lives.
* **None to bury (Hebrew, _v'ein qover'_):** This phrase points to a profound cultural and religious insult. "To bury" (from the root _qavar_) denotes the act of interring the dead, a sacred duty in ancient Israel. The absence of anyone to perform this rite signifies not only the overwhelming number of casualties but also the complete breakdown of social order, the terror of the survivors, or their incapacitation. To be left unburied was considered a great dishonor and a curse, preventing the deceased from resting with their ancestors and leaving their bodies vulnerable to scavengers, as described in [Jeremiah 14:16](/jeremiah/14-16 "Jeremiah 14:16 - Unburied Bodies").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem":** This opening clause graphically describes the extent and brutality of the massacre. "Their blood" refers to the blood of God's servants and saints mentioned in the preceding verse. The active verb "have they shed" attributes the violence directly to the invading foreign nations. The simile "like water" underscores the indiscriminate, abundant, and contemptuous nature of the killing, suggesting lives were poured out without value. The phrase "round about Jerusalem" specifies the geographical scope of the slaughter, indicating that the entire city and its environs were engulfed in the violence, leaving no safe haven.
* **"and [there was] none to bury [them].":** This second clause highlights the devastating consequence and profound indignity of the slaughter. The lack of burial implies several things: the sheer number of dead bodies overwhelmed any capacity for proper interment; the survivors were either too few, too traumatized, or too fearful to perform the sacred duty; or the community itself was so utterly destroyed that the customary rites could not be observed. This absence of burial was a severe curse in ancient Israel, denying the deceased honor and rest, and leaving their remains exposed to desecration, further compounding the tragedy and the psalmist's lament.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 79:3 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message of desolation and horror. The most prominent is **simile**, specifically "Their blood have they shed like water." This comparison is incredibly effective, transforming the sacred and vital substance of blood into something common, abundant, and easily discarded, powerfully conveying the casual cruelty and vast scale of the slaughter. The phrase also functions as **hyperbole**, exaggerating the quantity of blood to emphasize the overwhelming number of casualties and the intensity of the violence. The entire verse is an example of **pathos**, designed to evoke deep pity, grief, and indignation from the reader, highlighting the profound suffering and indignity inflicted upon the people. The stark contrast between the sacredness of life (represented by blood) and its treatment as valueless "water" creates a powerful emotional impact.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 79:3, with its vivid portrayal of desecration and unburied dead, connects deeply with the biblical understanding of God's covenant, the sanctity of life, and the consequences of both human sin and divine judgment. The outrage expressed by the psalmist is rooted in the belief that God's people, though chastised, should not be utterly abandoned or dishonored in such a way. The unburied bodies are not just a physical indignity but a spiritual affront, challenging the very notion of God's care for His covenant people and the land He promised. This lament becomes a desperate plea for God to act, not just for the sake of His people, but for the vindication of His own holy name among the nations, who might otherwise conclude that Israel's God is powerless or uncaring.

* [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "The Curse of Unburied Bodies")
* [Jeremiah 16:4](/jeremiah/16-4 "Unburied Bodies as a Sign of Judgment")
* [Revelation 11:9](/revelation/11-9 "Unburied Bodies of God's Witnesses")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 79:3 serves as a sobering reminder of the horrific consequences of unchecked violence, injustice, and the desecration of human life. It compels us to confront the reality of suffering in our world, whether from war, persecution, or systemic oppression. The psalmist's anguish over the unburied dead highlights the profound human need for dignity, even in death, and the deep pain when that dignity is denied. For us today, this verse invites us to cultivate a profound empathy for those who endure unimaginable loss and indignity, prompting us to lament with them and to pray fervently for justice and peace. It also challenges us to consider our own responses to suffering: Do we turn away, or do we allow ourselves to be moved to compassion and action? The psalm, ultimately, is a model for bringing our deepest pain and questions before a God who hears, even when circumstances seem utterly bleak, trusting that He is sovereign and will ultimately bring justice and restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "blood shed like water" challenge my understanding of human dignity and the sanctity of life?**
* **What does the psalmist's lament over the unburied dead teach me about the importance of honoring the deceased and caring for the vulnerable, even in dire circumstances?**
* **In what ways can I, like the psalmist, bring my laments and the pain of the world before God with honesty and faith?**
* **How does this verse prompt me to pray for an end to violence and injustice in our world today?**

### FAQ
**Why was proper burial so important in ancient Israel, and what does the lack of it signify in Psalm 79:3?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, proper burial was a deeply significant religious and cultural practice. It was seen as an act of respect for the deceased, a fulfillment of familial duty, and a way to ensure the deceased's rest with their ancestors. To be denied burial was considered one of the greatest indignities and curses, often associated with divine judgment for severe sin (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "Deuteronomy 28:26 - The Curse of Unburied Bodies"), [Jeremiah 8:2](/jeremiah/8-2 "Jeremiah 8:2 - Unburied Bodies as a Sign of Judgment")). In Psalm 79:3, the statement "none to bury them" signifies not only the overwhelming scale of the massacre, leaving too many dead for the living to inter, but also the complete breakdown of social order, the terror of the survivors, and the profound dishonor inflicted upon the victims. It emphasizes the utter devastation and the depth of the enemy's contempt for God's people, leaving them exposed and unmourned.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalm 79:3 describes a moment of profound national humiliation and death, its lament for the shedding of innocent blood and the indignity of unburied bodies finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the passion and death of Jesus. The "blood shed like water" foreshadows the abundant, sacrificial blood of Christ, which was poured out not in judgment against His people, but *for* His people, to cleanse them from sin. [John 19:34](/john/19-34 "John 19:34 - Blood and Water from Jesus' Side") describes blood and water flowing from Jesus' pierced side, a powerful image of the complete outpouring of His life for redemption. Unlike the unburied victims of Jerusalem, Jesus, though suffering the ultimate indignity of a criminal's death, was granted a burial, albeit hastily, by Joseph of Arimathea ([Matthew 27:57-60](/matthew/27-57 "Matthew 27:57-60 - Jesus' Burial")). More profoundly, His burial was not a final indignity but a necessary step towards His glorious resurrection, conquering death and offering hope to all who believe. Thus, the lament for the unburied in Psalm 79:3 is ultimately answered in Christ, who, through His death and resurrection, transforms the curse of unburied bodies and the shedding of blood into the promise of eternal life and resurrection for all who are united with Him ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ the Firstfruits of Resurrection")).

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 14:16

And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.

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.

Revelation 11:9

And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

Psalms 79:10

Wherefore should the heathen say, Where [is] their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight [by] the revenging of the blood of thy servants [which is] shed.

Jeremiah 8:1

¶ At that time, saith the LORD, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves:

Jeremiah 8:2

And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.

Revelation 17:6

And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.