Psalms 79:9

KJV

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.

KJV (with Strong's)

Help {H5826}{H8798)} us, O God {H430} of our salvation {H3468}, for {H1697} the glory {H3519} of thy name {H8034}: and deliver {H5337}{H8685)} us, and purge away {H3722}{H8761)} our sins {H2403}, for thy name's {H8034} sake.

Complete Jewish Bible

Help us, God of our salvation, for the sake of the glory of your name. Deliver us, forgive our sins, for your name's sake.

Berean Standard Bible

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and atone for our sins, for the sake of Your name.

American Standard Version

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name; And deliver us, and forgive our sins, for thy name’s sake.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 79:9 is a fervent communal lament, a desperate cry from a people ravaged by national catastrophe, likely the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple. It is a profound appeal to God as the "God of our salvation," imploring Him to intervene, deliver, and cleanse His people from sin, not based on their merit, but solely "for the glory of thy name" and "for thy name's sake." This verse encapsulates a pivotal theological truth: God's ultimate motivation for acting on behalf of His people is the vindication and honor of His own holy character and reputation among the nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 79 is a communal lament, one of several psalms (e.g., [Psalm 74](/psalms/74 "Psalm 74 - A Lament Over the Desecration of the Sanctuary")) that grapple with the profound trauma of national disaster. It immediately follows [Psalm 78](/psalms/78 "Psalm 78 - God's Faithfulness and Israel's Rebellion"), which recounts Israel's history of rebellion and God's patience. Psalm 79 opens with vivid imagery of Jerusalem in ruins, the Temple defiled, and the bodies of God's servants left unburied, serving as food for birds and beasts (e.g., [Psalms 79:1-4](/psalms/79-1-4 "Psalms 79:1-4 - The Desecration of Jerusalem")). The psalm moves from a description of suffering to a plea for divine vengeance against the nations who mock God (e.g., [Psalms 79:10](/psalms/79-10 "Psalms 79:10 - A Plea for Vengeance and God's Name")) and culminates in a renewed commitment to praise Him. Verse 9 represents the turning point where the focus shifts from the devastation to a direct, humble, and theologically rich appeal for God's intervention, grounded in His character rather than the people's worthiness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalm 79 is almost certainly the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC, an event meticulously documented in historical books like [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem") and [Jeremiah 52](/jeremiah/52 "Jeremiah 52 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile"). This catastrophe was not merely a military defeat; it was a profound theological crisis. The Temple was the dwelling place of God's presence, and its destruction, along with the subsequent exile, led surrounding nations to mock Israel's God, questioning His power and faithfulness (e.g., [Psalms 79:10](/psalms/79-10 "Psalms 79:10 - Where is their God?")). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a nation's defeat often implied the defeat of its gods. Thus, the psalmist's plea for God to act "for thy name's sake" was not just a pious expression but an urgent appeal for God to vindicate His own honor and reputation in the eyes of a skeptical world, proving His sovereignty despite the apparent triumph of pagan deities. The communal nature of the lament reflects the collective shame, grief, and spiritual disorientation experienced by the entire nation.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout the Psalms and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Salvation** is paramount, as God is addressed as the "God of our salvation," emphasizing His inherent nature as the deliverer and rescuer of His people from all forms of distress, whether physical or spiritual. This echoes the concept of Yahweh as the ultimate source of rescue, as seen in passages like [Psalm 68:20](/psalms/68-20 "Psalm 68:20 - God is our salvation"). Secondly, the **Glory and Honor of God's Name** is the central driving force behind the plea. The repeated phrases "for the glory of thy name" and "for thy name's sake" underscore the theological principle that God acts to uphold His own reputation and covenant faithfulness, not primarily due to human merit. This theme is foundational to God's redemptive acts throughout Israel's history, as He declares in [Ezekiel 36:22-23](/ezekiel/36-22-23 "Ezekiel 36:22-23 - God acts for His holy name"). Thirdly, the theme of **Sin and Forgiveness** is crucial. The plea to "purge away our sins" acknowledges that the people's suffering is, at least in part, a consequence of their corporate sin and rebellion against God, as often highlighted in prophetic books like [Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Your sins have separated you from your God"). This recognition of culpability and the humble request for cleansing are vital steps toward national restoration and reconciliation with God, demonstrating a profound understanding of the covenant relationship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Salvation (Hebrew, _yeshaʻ_):** Derived from the root `yasha` (to save, deliver), this term (H3468) signifies a comprehensive rescue, deliverance, or victory. It encompasses not only physical liberation from enemies or distress but also spiritual restoration and well-being. When God is called the "God of our salvation," it declares Him as the ultimate source and embodiment of all forms of deliverance, emphasizing His power and unwavering commitment to redeem His people. In this context, it speaks to the desperate need for God's powerful intervention to reverse their national humiliation and restore their fortunes.
* **Purge away (Hebrew, _kâphar_):** The verb `kâphar` (H3722) is a primitive root meaning to cover, expiate, condone, placate, or cancel. It is deeply rooted in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, where blood sacrifices were offered to `kaphar` for sins, thus covering them and restoring the relationship between God and humanity. In Psalms 79:9, the plea to "purge away our sins" is a request for God to make atonement for their corporate guilt, to cleanse them from the defilement of sin that has contributed to their current plight, and to restore them to a state of ritual and moral purity acceptable before Him. It implies a recognition of sin's defiling power and a reliance on God's gracious provision for its removal.
* **Name (Hebrew, _shêm_):** In ancient Hebrew thought, a "name" (`shêm`, H8034) was far more than a mere label; it represented the essence, character, reputation, and authority of a person. To act "for thy name's sake" or "for the glory of thy name" means to act in a way that is consistent with, upholds, and magnifies God's revealed character, His covenant promises, and His divine honor. In the context of national humiliation, the psalmist appeals to God's very identity as the sovereign, faithful, and powerful God of Israel, whose reputation is at stake among the nations who mock His apparent inability to protect His people and Temple.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Help us, O God of our salvation":** This opening clause is a direct, urgent, and personal appeal to God. The address "God of our salvation" is a foundational declaration of faith, acknowledging God's inherent nature as the one who delivers and provides rescue. It grounds the desperate plea in God's character and past acts of deliverance, reminding Him and the petitioners of His unchanging identity as their rescuer.
* **"for the glory of thy name":** This phrase immediately introduces the primary motivation for God's intervention. The psalmist understands that God's actions are not merely for the comfort of His people but, more profoundly, for the vindication of His own honor and reputation. In a world where the defeat of a nation implied the weakness of its god, the desecration of Jerusalem and the Temple brought shame not only to Israel but, more significantly, to the name of Yahweh. The plea is for God to act in a way that demonstrates His power and faithfulness, thereby glorifying His name among the nations.
* **"and deliver us":** This is a specific request for physical rescue and liberation from their oppressors and the dire circumstances they face. It is a plea for immediate intervention to reverse their captivity, suffering, and national disgrace. This deliverance is understood as a necessary component of God's vindication of His name.
* **"and purge away our sins":** This clause reveals a crucial theological insight: the psalmist acknowledges that the people's suffering is not solely an external affliction but also a consequence of their own corporate sin. The request to "purge away" (atonement) signifies a desire for spiritual cleansing and reconciliation with God. It recognizes that true restoration requires not only external deliverance but also internal purification and forgiveness, addressing the root cause of their alienation from God.
* **"for thy name's sake":** This concluding phrase powerfully reiterates and reinforces the core motivation already stated. The repetition emphasizes that the ultimate reason for God's action is His own character, His covenant faithfulness, and His desire to uphold His holy name. It shifts the focus entirely from human merit or deservingness to divine purpose and glory, making the prayer a profound act of humility and trust in God's sovereign will to act for His own honor.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 79:9 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and theologically rich message. The most prominent is **Lament**, characteristic of the entire psalm, which expresses deep sorrow, distress, and a plea for divine intervention in the face of overwhelming catastrophe. The direct address "O God of our salvation" is an example of **Apostrophe**, where the psalmist directly addresses God, creating an intimate and fervent tone. The powerful and deliberate **Repetition** of "for the glory of thy name" and "for thy name's sake" serves to underscore the central theological motivation for God's action, emphasizing that His honor is paramount. This repetition also functions as a form of **Anaphora** if considering the broader context of similar pleas in other psalms. Furthermore, the phrase "for thy name's sake" can be seen as **Metonymy**, where "name" stands in for God's entire character, reputation, and essence, highlighting that God's actions are intrinsically tied to who He is. The psalm also uses **Parallelism** in the requests "deliver us, and purge away our sins," linking external rescue with internal spiritual cleansing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 79:9 stands as a powerful testament to the biblical understanding of God's character and His relationship with His people. It highlights that God's redemptive acts are ultimately driven by His commitment to His own glory and the sanctity of His name, rather than solely by human worthiness. This principle undergirds much of salvation history, where God intervenes not because Israel deserved it, but because His covenant faithfulness and reputation were at stake. The recognition of corporate sin and the plea for cleansing also connect this verse to the broader theme of divine judgment and restoration, where sin leads to consequence, but repentance and God's grace lead to renewal. This profound prayer models a posture of humble dependence, acknowledging both human culpability and divine sovereignty, and ultimately trusting in God's inherent nature as the "God of our salvation."

* [Psalm 68:20](/psalms/68-20 "Psalm 68:20 - God, the Lord, is our salvation")
* [Ezekiel 36:22-23](/ezekiel/36-22-23 "Ezekiel 36:22-23 - God acts for His holy name among the nations")
* [Daniel 9:18-19](/daniel/9-18-19 "Daniel 9:18-19 - Daniel's prayer for Jerusalem based on God's mercy and name")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 79:9 offers a profound blueprint for prayer and spiritual posture, particularly in times of personal or communal crisis. It teaches us that even when facing overwhelming suffering, humiliation, or the consequences of our own failings, our ultimate appeal must rest on God's unchanging character and His commitment to His own glory. This shifts our perspective from self-pity or demanding based on perceived rights to a humble plea rooted in God's honor. It reminds us that our deliverance, whether from external pressures or internal sin, is fundamentally tied to God's purpose to magnify His name in the world. This verse calls believers to a radical dependence, acknowledging that true salvation and cleansing come from God alone, and that our greatest desire should be for His name to be hallowed and glorified, even in our darkest moments. It challenges us to examine our own prayers: are they primarily self-centered, or do they ultimately seek the vindication of God's name and the advancement of His kingdom?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does prioritizing God's glory in prayer change the nature and outcome of your petitions?**
* **How does the psalmist's acknowledgement of corporate sin (even amidst national suffering) challenge our own understanding of responsibility and repentance?**
* **When facing personal or communal difficulties, how can remembering God as the "God of our salvation" strengthen your faith and hope?**
* **What does it mean for God to act "for His name's sake" in your life today, and how does that impact your trust in His faithfulness?**

### FAQ

**Why does the psalmist emphasize God's "name" and "glory" so much in this desperate plea?**

Answer: The emphasis on God's "name" and "glory" is central because in ancient Israelite thought, God's name represented His very character, reputation, and power. When Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed, and God's people were humiliated and exiled, the surrounding pagan nations mocked them, asking, "Where is their God?" ([Psalms 79:10](/psalms/79-10 "Psalms 79:10 - Where is their God?")). This was not just a taunt against Israel, but a direct challenge to the power and existence of Yahweh Himself. The psalmist understands that God's honor and credibility are at stake. Therefore, the plea "for the glory of thy name" and "for thy name's sake" is an appeal to God to act in a way that vindicates His own holy character, demonstrates His sovereignty over all nations, and proves His faithfulness to His covenant promises, thereby silencing the mockery and restoring His reputation in the world. It shifts the motivation for divine intervention from human merit to divine purpose, recognizing that God's ultimate concern is the hallowing of His own name, as seen in [Ezekiel 36:22-23](/ezekiel/36-22-23 "Ezekiel 36:22-23 - God acts for His holy name among the nations").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 79:9, with its fervent plea for salvation and the purging of sins for God's name's sake, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is, in the fullest sense, the "God of our salvation" ([Titus 2:10](/titus/2-10 "Titus 2:10 - God our Savior")), the one through whom God accomplished the definitive rescue of humanity. The psalmist's cry to "purge away our sins" anticipates the perfect and final atonement that Christ would provide. Unlike the temporary sacrifices of the Old Covenant, which merely covered sins, Jesus, through His death on the cross, truly "purged our sins" once for all ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Jesus, the radiance of God's glory, purged our sins")). His sacrifice was not only for humanity's benefit but supremely "for the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:11](/philippians/2-11 "Philippians 2:11 - Every tongue confess Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father")). In Christ, God's name is supremely glorified as His justice and mercy meet at the cross, demonstrating His power to save and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. The shame and humiliation of Israel, and indeed of all humanity under sin, are fully redeemed through the cross, where God's name is vindicated and His saving power revealed to the nations ([John 12:28](/john/12-28 "John 12:28 - Jesus prays, 'Father, glorify your name'")).

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 14:7

O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou [it] for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.

Psalms 25:11

For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it [is] great.

2 Chronicles 14:11

And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, [it is] nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou [art] our God; let not man prevail against thee.

Ezekiel 20:14

But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.

Isaiah 48:9

¶ For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.

Jeremiah 14:21

Do not abhor [us], for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.

Psalms 31:3

For thou [art] my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.