Psalm 79 (78):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Understanding the significance of Jacob's location is essential. This location can be viewed as the city that housed the Temple, where the Lord commanded His people to gather for worship, sacrifice, and the observance of Passover. Had the Prophet grasped the dynamics of Christian assemblies facing both permission and persecution, he might have stated, "the places are desolate, not the place." Yet, it is acceptable to interpret the singular in a plural sense, similar to using "garment" for "clothing," "squadron" for "soldiers," or "herd" for "cattle." This usage is common not only among ordinary speakers but also in the rhetoric of prominent authorities. Such linguistic forms are also found in sacred Scripture.

This serves as a distinct indication of their wrongdoing. Despite receiving no harm from us, they resorted to taking lives, laying waste to the land and causing cities to fall into ruin. The term "his place" is rendered as "his beauty" by Aquila, "his goodness" by Simmachus, and "his splendour" by Theodotion, all signifying the house of God. The Prophet eloquently referred to the people as Jacob, prompting God to grant them forgiveness by recalling their ancestor's legacy.

It is appropriate, O Lord, for You to unleash Your anger upon the nation, for they have consumed us with the edge of the sword and have laid waste to our lands. Another states that it is beneficial for the people to invoke Jacob; for in remembering their ancestor, they invoke God's compassion.

The prophet does not refer to all the Gentiles, which is evident as he specifies "the nations that know not Thee" rather than simply "the people." We are aware of God, and His name rests upon us (Jeremiah 14:9). We do not bring destruction upon Jacob because we refrain from disparaging and condemning him, in accordance with Paul’s teaching, who warns, "But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another" (Galatians 5:15). Likewise, we do not lay waste to his land, for how could this occur if each one regards Israel as their common ancestral homeland (cf. Romans 9:6-8)? Therefore, the prophet’s intent was not to pronounce a curse upon us, but rather upon those who remain in darkness and reject the kingdom of God; these are the individuals who should dread judgment.

The Holy Prophet, observing the intense anger of God directed towards the Israelites that threatened to lead to their complete destruction, intercedes on behalf of the people of Israel, asking God to cease His fury and redirect His anger towards their adversaries. It is as though he is expressing, “Even though we are unworthy beings, we are still Your children; You alone are the true God whom we worship and invoke. Instead, let Your wrath be unleashed upon those who are Your foes, those who do not recognize You, and upon the nations that do not call upon Your name.”

David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, crafted this psalm and entrusted it to Asaph, the leader of the singers, calling upon him to deliver a prophetic lament about the impending devastation of Jerusalem due to invasions by opposing tribes that later occurred. This lament also serves as a heartfelt prayer of supplication to God from the faithful Church in times of distress. The psalm contrasts the Gentiles, represented as a people given to abominations, with God's treasure, symbolizing the loyal Christian community.