Psalms 79:12

And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

And render {H7725}{H8685)} unto our neighbours {H7934} sevenfold {H7659} into their bosom {H2436} their reproach {H2781}, wherewith they have reproached {H2778}{H8765)} thee, O Lord {H136}.

Repay our neighbors sevenfold where they can feel it for the insults they inflicted on you, Adonai.

Pay back into the laps of our neighbors sevenfold the reproach they hurled at You, O Lord.

And render unto our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom Their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

Commentary

Psalm 79:12 is a fervent prayer from a community deeply distressed by the devastation of Jerusalem and the Temple. It is an impassioned plea to God for divine justice against those who have humiliated His people and blasphemed His name.

Context

Psalm 79 is a communal lament, likely written in the aftermath of the Babylonian invasion and the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 586 BC. The preceding verses vividly describe the massacre of God's servants, the desecration of the holy city, and the Temple lying in ruins (Psalm 79:1-3). The Israelites have become a "reproach" and "derision" to their neighbors (Psalm 79:4). This verse is a cry for God to act decisively against those who have not only harmed His people but, more significantly, have scorned Him, challenging His power and honor in the eyes of the nations. It echoes other laments that call for God's intervention against oppressors, such as Psalm 74.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Retribution: The primary theme is a call for God to execute justice. The psalmist is not seeking personal revenge but appealing to the Lord's righteous character to repay the aggressors for their actions against Him and His people.
  • God's Honor and Vindication: The "reproach" was directed not just at Israel, but explicitly at the Lord Himself. The prayer seeks to vindicate God's name and demonstrate His sovereignty to the surrounding nations who mocked Him.
  • Intensified Punishment ("Sevenfold"): The request for "sevenfold" repayment signifies a complete, abundant, and overwhelming retribution, fitting the severity of the insult and destruction.
  • Sovereignty of God: The prayer implicitly acknowledges God as the ultimate judge who has the power and authority to bring about such a comprehensive repayment.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Sevenfold" (shiv'atayim - שִׁבְעָתַיִם): This term signifies fullness or completeness, not necessarily a literal seven times. It's a hyperbolic expression for abundant repayment or intense punishment, similar to its use in Genesis 4:15 regarding Cain or Proverbs 6:31 for restitution.
  • "Bosom": An idiom indicating a direct and personal return of consequences upon the perpetrators themselves. What they have done will come back to them directly.
  • "Reproach" (ḥerpâ - חֶרְפָּה): This word carries a strong sense of scorn, insult, humiliation, and shame. It describes a deep affront, particularly when directed at God.

Practical Application

While the New Testament teaches believers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, this Old Testament prayer offers several enduring insights:

  • It reminds us that God is ultimately a God of justice. There will be a day of reckoning for those who defiantly oppose Him and oppress His people.
  • It expresses a deep concern for God's honor and reputation in the world. When believers suffer, it can bring reproach upon God's name, and this verse is a prayer for His vindication.
  • It teaches us to trust God for ultimate justice rather than seeking personal revenge. The psalmist lays the case before the Lord, asking Him to act.
  • It reflects the intensity of grief and the yearning for righteousness in the face of immense suffering and injustice, common human experiences that God understands.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 32:18 (5 votes)

    Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, [is] his name,
  • Genesis 4:15 (5 votes)

    And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
  • Leviticus 26:21 (4 votes)

    And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.
  • Leviticus 26:28 (4 votes)

    Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.
  • Psalms 74:18 (3 votes)

    ¶ Remember this, [that] the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and [that] the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.
  • Psalms 74:22 (3 votes)

    Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.
  • Proverbs 6:31 (3 votes)

    But [if] he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.