Psalms 79:8

KJV

O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.

KJV (with Strong's)

O remember {H2142}{H8799)} not against us former {H7223} iniquities {H5771}: let thy tender mercies {H7356} speedily {H4118} prevent {H6923}{H8762)} us: for we are brought {H1809} very {H3966} low {H1809}{H8804)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't count past iniquities against us, but let your compassion come quickly to meet us, for we have been brought very low.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not hold past sins against us; let Your compassion come quickly, for we are brought low.

American Standard Version

Remember not against us the iniquities of our forefathers: Let thy tender mercies speedily meet us; For we are brought very low.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 79:8 is a profound communal lament, articulating a nation's desperate plea to God in the wake of catastrophic devastation, most likely the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. It begins with a humble confession of past corporate iniquities, immediately transitioning to an urgent appeal for God's profound and proactive "tender mercies" to intervene swiftly. The verse underscores the people's utter helplessness and dire circumstances, expressing a deep reliance on God's compassionate character as their sole hope for deliverance from humiliation and suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 79 is a poignant communal lament, situated within Book III of the Psalter (Psalms 73-89), a section frequently exploring themes of national suffering, divine justice, and God's faithfulness amidst adversity. It shares significant thematic and historical parallels with Psalm 74, both psalms vividly depicting the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred Temple. The verses immediately preceding Psalms 79:8 paint a grim picture: the desecration of God's holy sanctuary, the brutal slaughter of His people, their bodies left unburied as food for scavengers, and the relentless mockery from surrounding nations who question God's power and presence. This specific verse, therefore, marks a critical pivot from describing the calamity to an earnest, direct petition to God, acknowledging the nation's sin as a contributing factor while urgently appealing to His inherent character of mercy and compassion as their only recourse for restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalm 79 is almost certainly the Babylonian conquest of Judah and the devastating destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 586 BC. This event transcended mere military defeat; it represented a profound theological crisis for Israel. The Temple, symbolizing God's dwelling place among His people, was defiled and burned, the covenant people were massacred or exiled, and their land lay desolate. Culturally, the unburied dead constituted a deep shame and a curse, signifying utter dishonor and a breach of fundamental human dignity. The taunts from neighboring nations (e.g., Edom, Ammon, Moab), who gloated over Judah's downfall and questioned the power of YHWH, added immense spiritual and psychological burden. In this dire context, the plea for God to "remember not against us former iniquities" reflects an understanding that their suffering was, in part, a consequence of their covenant disobedience, yet their appeal to His "tender mercies" underscores a desperate hope rooted in God's revealed character as a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, as described in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord, a God merciful and gracious").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Communal Lament and Confession**, where a people collectively acknowledges its sin and cries out to God in distress, as seen in [Lamentations 3:42](/lamentations/3-42 "Lamentations 3:42 - We have transgressed and rebelled"). Secondly, it underscores the profound biblical theme of **Divine Mercy and Compassion**, emphasizing God's inherent nature of profound care and empathy, often expressed through His covenant faithfulness (Hebrew: *hesed*), which is the ultimate source of hope even in dire circumstances. The psalmist's appeal to "tender mercies" is a direct invocation of this core attribute. Thirdly, the verse subtly touches on the theme of **God's Honor and Reputation**, as the nation's humiliation also reflects on their God in the eyes of other nations, prompting a plea for divine intervention to vindicate His name, a concern echoed in [Ezekiel 36:22-23](/zekiel/36-22-23 "Ezekiel 36:22-23 - God's Name Vindicated"). Finally, it exemplifies **Dependence on God in Desperation**, portraying a people at their absolute lowest, utterly helpless and completely reliant on God's sovereign and compassionate intervention, a posture often preceding divine deliverance, as illustrated in [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remember (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** This word, while meaning to recall to mind, often carries the theological connotation of acting on the basis of what is remembered. The plea "O remember not against us" is not a request for God to literally forget, as He is omniscient, but for Him to choose not to bring their past sins to mind for the purpose of present judgment. It is an appeal for God to set aside their accumulated corporate rebellion and instead act on His character of mercy and forgiveness.
* **Iniquities (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** This term signifies more than mere wrongdoing; it denotes perversity, a bending or twisting away from God's righteous standard. It carries the weight of guilt and the resultant punishment or consequence of sin. The psalmist's use of "former iniquities" points to a history of corporate rebellion and covenant unfaithfulness that has accumulated over time, contributing to their current dire circumstances.
* **Tender mercies (Hebrew, _racham'_):** Derived from the root *racham*, meaning "womb," this word conveys a deep, visceral, and compassionate love, akin to a mother's profound, nurturing affection for her child or a father's pity for his children. It speaks to God's inherent, profound, and protective care, a love that flows from His very being and is deeply intertwined with His covenant faithfulness (*hesed*). It is a mercy that is not merely intellectual but deeply empathetic and compassionate, prompting active intervention.
* **Prevent (Hebrew, _qâdam'_):** In the King James Version's archaic usage, derived from the Latin *praevenire*, this word means "to come before," "to anticipate," or "to go ahead of." The psalmist is not asking God's mercy to hinder them, but to arrive swiftly and proactively, to precede their further suffering and rescue them before their situation deteriorates any further. It conveys a desperate urgency for God's immediate, anticipatory intervention.
* **Low (Hebrew, _dâlal'_):** This word literally means to slacken, be feeble, or thin. Figuratively, it denotes being oppressed, impoverished, or brought down to a state of utter weakness and helplessness. Coupled with "very" (Hebrew, _mᵉʼôd_), an intensive adverb meaning vehemently or exceedingly, it emphasizes the extreme depth of their humiliation, destitution, and inability to help themselves. They are at rock bottom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O remember not against us former iniquities":** This opening clause is a heartfelt and humble confession of corporate sin, acknowledging that the nation's past transgressions may be a just cause for their current suffering. The plea is not for God to literally forget, but for Him to choose not to hold their sins against them for the purpose of present judgment. It's an appeal to God's redemptive character, which can "blot out" or "cast behind His back" sins, offering forgiveness and grace instead of deserved punishment.
* **"let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us":** This is the core petition, expressing a profound and urgent reliance on God's compassionate nature. The request for "tender mercies" (rachamim) highlights the depth of God's innate love and empathy. The adverb "speedily" and the archaic meaning of "prevent" (to come before, anticipate) underscore the desperate need for immediate, proactive divine intervention to avert further catastrophe and suffering. It's a cry for God's mercy to run ahead of their worsening plight.
* **"for we are brought very low":** This concluding clause serves as the justification for the urgent plea. It describes the nation's utterly helpless, humiliated, and desperate state. They are at rock bottom, utterly incapable of helping themselves or escaping their predicament. This declaration of extreme weakness and dependence is often the posture that precedes divine deliverance, as God frequently responds to those who humble themselves and cry out to Him from their lowest point, demonstrating His power in their weakness.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 79:8 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message of lament and desperate appeal. The entire psalm is a prime example of a **Communal Lament**, a genre characterized by an address to God, a vivid complaint, a confession of sin, an urgent petition for deliverance, and an expression of trust. Within this specific verse, the psalmist uses **Personification** when asking for "tender mercies" to "speedily prevent us," attributing the capacity for swift movement and anticipatory intervention to an abstract quality of God. The phrase "brought very low" functions as **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme depth of the nation's distress, humiliation, and utter helplessness, going beyond a literal description to convey the profound psychological and spiritual impact of their suffering. There is also an implicit **Parallelism** in the structure of the plea: a humble confession ("remember not iniquities") is immediately followed by an urgent petition ("let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us"), which is then justified by their desperate state ("for we are brought very low"), creating a logical and emotionally compelling flow that builds in intensity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 79:8 offers profound theological insights into the nature of God, humanity, and the dynamics of prayer. It reveals a God who, while just in allowing consequences for sin, is ultimately characterized by profound mercy and compassion, always accessible to those who humble themselves and seek Him. The verse underscores the concept of corporate responsibility, where the sins of a community can lead to collective suffering, yet it simultaneously highlights God's willingness to forgive and restore upon sincere repentance. It teaches that even in the deepest valleys of despair, when human strength is utterly depleted and hope seems lost, the most potent recourse is an urgent, humble appeal to God's inherent "tender mercies." This divine attribute is not merely a passive feeling but an active, redemptive force that can "prevent" (anticipate and intervene) even the most dire circumstances. The psalmist's plea is a testament to the enduring biblical truth that God's compassion is unfailing, providing a pathway to restoration even when judgment is deserved.

* [Isaiah 43:25](/isaiah/43-25 "Isaiah 43:25 - God blots out transgressions")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Lord's mercies never fail")
* [Psalm 103:8-10](/psalms/103-8-10 "Psalm 103:8-10 - The Lord is merciful and gracious")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 79:8 provides a timeless template for how individuals and communities can approach God in times of deep distress, whether brought on by personal failings or external circumstances. It first calls us to a posture of humble confession, acknowledging that our "former iniquities"—be they past sins, neglect, or corporate failings—may indeed contribute to our present difficulties. This is not about wallowing in guilt but about honest self-assessment before a holy God. Secondly, it compels us to turn with profound urgency to God's "tender mercies," recognizing that His compassion is our ultimate hope when we are "brought very low." This encourages persistent, fervent prayer, trusting that God's nature is to be merciful and to act swiftly on behalf of His desperate children. When we feel overwhelmed, helpless, or at rock bottom, this verse reminds us that these are precisely the moments when our dependence on God is most acute, and His willingness to intervene is most evident. It assures us that even when we feel undeserving, God's boundless compassion can "prevent" (anticipate and rescue) us from further ruin, offering hope and restoration that transcends our circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does acknowledging past sin, both personal and corporate, prepare us to receive God's mercy?**
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "brought very low," and how does this verse encourage you to seek God's "tender mercies" with urgency?**
* **What does "tender mercies" (rachamim) reveal about God's character, and how does this understanding deepen your trust in Him during difficult times?**

### FAQ
**What does "prevent" mean in this verse?**

Answer: In modern English, "prevent" typically means to stop or hinder something. However, in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, "prevent" uses an archaic meaning derived from the Latin word *praevenire*, which means "to come before," "to anticipate," or "to go ahead of." So, when the psalmist prays, "let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us," they are not asking God's mercy to hinder them, but rather to arrive quickly and proactively, to precede their further suffering, and to intervene on their behalf before their situation worsens. It's a desperate plea for urgent, anticipatory divine help, emphasizing God's initiative in salvation.

**Is this psalm only about national sin, or does it apply to individuals?**

Answer: While Psalm 79 is indeed a communal lament, expressing the distress and sin of the Israelite nation, the principles embedded in Psalms 79:8 are profoundly applicable to individuals. Every person experiences moments of being "brought very low" due to personal sin, life's challenges, or the consequences of a fallen world. The humble acknowledgment of "former iniquities," the urgent plea for God's "tender mercies," and the honest declaration of helplessness are universal human experiences. Thus, this verse serves as a powerful model for individual prayer, encouraging personal confession, reliance on God's compassion, and urgent petition in times of deep need, knowing that God responds to those who cry out to Him from a place of humility and desperation, as seen in [Psalm 107:6](/psalms/107-6 "Psalm 107:6 - They cried to the Lord in their trouble").

**How does God "remember not" iniquities?**

Answer: The phrase "O remember not against us former iniquities" is a plea for God not to hold their past sins against them for the purpose of current judgment and punishment. It does not mean God literally forgets, as He is omniscient and all-knowing. Instead, it speaks to God's redemptive act of choosing not to impute sin to those who genuinely repent and seek His mercy. In a covenantal context, it signifies a divine decision to set aside the record of transgression, to forgive, and to restore the relationship. This concept is beautifully expressed elsewhere in Scripture, where God promises to "blot out" transgressions or "cast them behind his back," signifying a complete and effective removal of the guilt and condemnation associated with sin, as promised in [Isaiah 43:25](/isaiah/43-25 "Isaiah 43:25 - I, I am he who blots out your transgressions"). It is a theological statement about God's merciful choice to forgive and not punish, rather than a literal act of forgetting.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The desperate plea of Psalms 79:8 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "former iniquities" that plagued Israel and continue to plague humanity are fully and finally addressed in the person and work of the Messiah. Jesus is the ultimate [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bearing the full weight of our transgressions on the cross. Through His atoning sacrifice, God can indeed "remember not against us former iniquities" because the righteous demands of His justice have been perfectly satisfied in Christ's substitutionary death ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25-26 "Romans 3:25-26 - God presented Jesus as a propitiation")). The "tender mercies" for which the psalmist yearned are embodied in Christ, who, being fully God, also became fully human, experiencing our weaknesses and sufferings, and thus perfectly capable of sympathizing with us in our "low" state ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, our High Priest, sympathizes with our weaknesses")). His life, death, and resurrection constitute God's ultimate and "speedy prevention" against the eternal consequences of sin, offering grace and salvation proactively to all who believe ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God demonstrates His love for us")). In Christ, we are not merely spared judgment, but are reconciled to God, receiving the outpouring of His Spirit, which is the very essence of His tender mercy poured into our hearts ([Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - God's love poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit")), granting us new life and an eternal hope that transcends any earthly "low."

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

Isaiah 64:9

Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we [are] all thy people.

Psalms 142:6

Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

Psalms 116:6

The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

Psalms 21:3

For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.

Hosea 9:9

They have deeply corrupted [themselves], as in the days of Gibeah: [therefore] he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.

Revelation 18:5

For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Matthew 23:32

Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.