Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They have left the dead bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild. New Living Translation They have left the bodies of your servants as food for the birds of heaven. The flesh of your godly ones has become food for the wild animals. English Standard Version They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food, the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth. Berean Standard Bible They have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. King James Bible The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. New King James Version The dead bodies of Your servants They have given as food for the birds of the heavens, The flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. New American Standard Bible They have given the dead bodies of Your servants to the birds of the sky as food, The flesh of Your godly ones to the animals of the earth. NASB 1995 They have given the dead bodies of Your servants for food to the birds of the heavens, The flesh of Your godly ones to the beasts of the earth. NASB 1977 They have given the dead bodies of Thy servants for food to the birds of the heavens, The flesh of Thy godly ones to the beasts of the earth. Legacy Standard Bible They have given the dead bodies of Your slaves for food to the birds of the heavens, The flesh of Your holy ones to the beasts of the earth. Amplified Bible They have given the dead bodies of Your servants as food to the birds of the heavens, The flesh of Your godly ones to the beasts of the earth. Christian Standard Bible They gave the corpses of your servants to the birds of the sky for food, the flesh of your faithful ones to the beasts of the earth. Holman Christian Standard Bible They gave the corpses of Your servants to the birds of the sky for food, the flesh of Your godly ones to the beasts of the earth. American Standard Version The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be food unto the birds of the heavens, The flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. Contemporary English Version They have fed the bodies of your servants to flesh-eating birds; your loyal people are food for savage animals. English Revised Version The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. GOD'S WORD® Translation They have given the dead bodies of your servants to the birds for food. They have given the flesh of your godly ones to the animals. Good News Translation They left the bodies of your people for the vultures, the bodies of your servants for wild animals to eat. International Standard Version to give the corpses of your servants as food for the birds of the skies and the flesh of your godly ones to the beasts of the earth; NET Bible They have given the corpses of your servants to the birds of the sky; the flesh of your loyal followers to the beasts of the earth. New Heart English Bible They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your faithful to the animals of the earth. Webster's Bible Translation The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be food to the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints, to the beasts of the earth. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThey have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. World English Bible They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your saints to the animals of the earth. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThey gave the dead bodies of Your servants "" [As] food for the birds of the heavens, "" The flesh of Your saints "" For the wild beast of the earth. Young's Literal Translation They gave the dead bodies of Thy servants Food for the fowls of the heavens, The flesh of Thy saints For the wild beast of the earth. Smith's Literal Translation They gave the corpses of thy servants food to the birds of the heavens, the flesh of thy godly ones to the beasts of the earth. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThey have given the dead bodies of thy servants to be meat for the fowls of the air: the flesh of thy saints for the beasts of the earth. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible They have left the corpses of your servants as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of those devoted to you for the beasts of the earth. New Revised Standard Version They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the air for food, the flesh of your faithful to the wild animals of the earth. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat to the fowls of the heavens, the flesh of thy saints to the beasts of the earth. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated They gave the corpses of your Servants as food for birds of the sky and the flesh of your righteous ones to the animals of the Earth. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917They have given the dead bodies of Thy servants to be food unto the fowls of the heaven, The flesh of Thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. Brenton Septuagint Translation They have given the dead bodies of thy servants to be food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of thy holy ones for the wild beasts of the earth. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A Prayer for Deliverance1A Psalm of Asaph. The nations, O God, have invaded Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple and reduced Jerusalem to rubble. 2They have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. 3They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.… Cross References Jeremiah 7:33 The corpses of this people will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to scare them away. Jeremiah 16:4 “They will die from deadly diseases. They will not be mourned or buried, but will lie like dung on the ground. They will be finished off by sword and famine, and their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and beasts of the earth.” Jeremiah 19:7 And in this place I will ruin the plans of Judah and Jerusalem. I will make them fall by the sword before their enemies, by the hands of those who seek their lives, and I will give their carcasses as food to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth. Jeremiah 34:20 I will deliver into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth. Lamentations 2:21 Both young and old lie together in the dust of the streets. My young men and maidens have fallen by the sword. You have slain them in the day of Your anger; You have slaughtered them without compassion. Lamentations 4:14 They wandered blind in the streets, defiled by this blood, so that no one dared to touch their garments. Ezekiel 39:17-20 And as for you, son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says: Call out to every kind of bird and to every beast of the field: ‘Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrificial feast that I am preparing for you, a great feast on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood. / You will eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as though they were rams, lambs, goats, and bulls—all the fattened animals of Bashan. / At the sacrifice I am preparing, you will eat fat until you are gorged and drink blood until you are drunk. ... 1 Samuel 17:44 “Come here,” he called to David, “and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” 1 Kings 14:11 Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air.’ For the LORD has spoken. 1 Kings 16:4 Anyone belonging to Baasha who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air.” 1 Kings 21:24 Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air.” Revelation 19:17-18 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, / so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great.” Matthew 24:28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. Luke 17:37 “Where, Lord?” they asked. Jesus answered, “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.” Acts 7:42-43 But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? / You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’ Treasury of Scripture The dead bodies of your servants have they given to be meat to the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth. Jeremiah 7:33 And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away. Jeremiah 15:3 And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy. 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. Jump to Previous Air Animals Beast Beasts Birds Bodies Dead Earth Flesh Food Fowl Fowls Godly Heaven Heavens Meat Ones Saints Servants Sky WildJump to Next Air Animals Beast Beasts Birds Bodies Dead Earth Flesh Food Fowl Fowls Godly Heaven Heavens Meat Ones Saints Servants Sky WildPsalm 79 1. The psalmist complains of the desolation of Jerusalem8. He prays for deliverance 13. and promises thankfulness They have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air This phrase reflects the aftermath of a devastating attack, likely by the Babylonians, on Jerusalem. The desecration of the dead was a profound dishonor in ancient Israelite culture, as proper burial was a sign of respect and dignity. The imagery of corpses left unburied for scavenging birds is reminiscent of covenant curses found in Deuteronomy 28:26, where disobedience to God would result in such calamities. This serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. The "servants" here are the faithful Israelites who suffered during the invasion, highlighting the communal aspect of suffering and judgment. the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth Persons / Places / Events 1. The Psalmist (Asaph)The author of Psalm 79, traditionally attributed to Asaph, a prominent Levite singer and seer in David's court. He is expressing lament over the destruction of Jerusalem. 2. Jerusalem The city that has been invaded and desecrated, leading to the tragic events described in the Psalm. 3. The Servants of God Refers to the faithful followers of God who have suffered and died during the invasion. 4. Birds of the Air and Beasts of the Earth Symbolic of the desecration and dishonor faced by the people of God, as their bodies are left unburied. 5. Invading Nations The foreign powers responsible for the destruction and desecration of Jerusalem and its people. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceThe devastation described in Psalm 79:2 serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. It calls believers to reflect on their own lives and ensure they are walking in obedience to God's commands. The Reality of Suffering This verse acknowledges the harsh realities of suffering and persecution that God's people may face. It encourages believers to find solace in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty, even amidst trials. The Call to Lament The lament in Psalm 79:2 teaches the importance of bringing our grief and sorrow before God. It is a model for how to express deep anguish while still trusting in God's faithfulness. The Hope of Restoration While the verse depicts a scene of despair, it is part of a larger account that includes hope for restoration and redemption. Believers are reminded that God is a God of restoration and will ultimately vindicate His people. The Importance of Community The communal nature of the lament highlights the importance of standing together in times of crisis. It encourages believers to support one another and seek God collectively in prayer and worship. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 79:2?2. How does Psalm 79:2 illustrate the consequences of turning away from God? 3. What can we learn about God's justice from Psalm 79:2? 4. How does Psalm 79:2 connect to the theme of divine retribution in Scripture? 5. How can we apply the lessons of Psalm 79:2 to modern Christian life? 6. What actions can we take to avoid the fate described in Psalm 79:2? 7. How does Psalm 79:2 reflect the historical context of ancient Israel's struggles? 8. What archaeological evidence supports the events described in Psalm 79:2? 9. How does Psalm 79:2 challenge the belief in a just and protective God? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 79? 11. Why does Psalm 79 place sole blame on invading nations without acknowledging Israel's own possible role in its downfall? 12. Is there archaeological evidence confirming the large-scale desecration described in Psalm 79:1–3? 13. If Psalm 79 is attributed to Asaph (Psalm 79:1), how could he have written it about events that occurred centuries after his lifetime? 14. Does Psalm 123:2, likening believers to servants at a master's hand, suggest a power dynamic that contradicts more egalitarian biblical passages? What Does Psalm 79:2 Mean They have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air• The psalmist describes a real scene of battlefield defeat where God’s people lie unburied, exactly what Deuteronomy 28:26 warned would happen if Israel broke covenant: “Your carcasses will be food for every bird of the air and beast of the earth, with no one to frighten them away.” • This shocking picture highlights how completely the enemy has overrun the land (2 Kings 25:12). No one remains to honor the dead or keep scavengers back, an act of humiliation intended to mock both the victims and their God (1 Samuel 17:44). • Birds devouring human remains was viewed as a sign of curse and disgrace (Jeremiah 7:33), so Asaph is underscoring that the nation’s sin has brought them under the covenant consequences spelled out by the Lord Himself. • Yet by calling the fallen “Your servants,” he reminds God—and us—that these were people who belonged to Him. Their bodies may be dishonored, but their relationship with the Lord is not erased (Psalm 34:22). the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth • “Saints” signals those set apart to God; even they are suffering. The psalmist wants heaven to feel the outrage that lions, jackals, and wild dogs are gnawing on covenant people (Lamentations 1:13; Psalm 74:19). • Such desecration meant the enemy considered Israel’s God powerless to defend His own. This taunt parallels Goliath’s boast, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field” (1 Samuel 17:44). Now, instead of one Philistine shouting, whole armies have carried it out. • The scene anticipates God’s future reversal. Revelation 19:17-18 pictures birds filling themselves on the flesh of God’s foes, not His saints. The Judge will answer this prayer for vindication. • By recording the horror, the psalm invites believers to lament honestly while still clinging to God’s character. He hears and He will act (Psalm 79:9-10). summary Psalm 79:2 paints the ghastly aftermath of national judgment: God’s own people lie exposed, a feast for scavenging birds and beasts. The verse fulfills covenant warnings, exposes sin’s consequences, and cries for divine vindication. Even in disgrace the fallen are called “servants” and “saints,” reminding us that God remembers His own and will ultimately reverse every shame. (2) In addition to references in Margin see Deuteronomy 28:26.Saints.--Heb., chasidim. (See Note, Psalm 16:10.) Here with definite allusion to the Assd?ans of 1 Maccabees 7. Verse 2. - The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to Be meat unto the fowls of the heaven. A common incident of warfare (see the Assyrian sculptures, passim). The flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth; or, of the land. Hyaenas and jackals would dispute the flesh of the slain with vultures and crows.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew They have givenנָֽתְנ֡וּ (nā·ṯə·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 5414: To give, put, set the corpses נִבְלַ֬ת (niḇ·laṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 5038: A flabby thing, a carcase, carrion, an idol of Your servants עֲבָדֶ֗יךָ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant as food מַ֭אֲכָל (ma·’ă·ḵāl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3978: An eatable to the birds לְע֣וֹף (lə·‘ō·wp̄) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5775: Flying creatures of the air, הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם (haš·šā·mā·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky the flesh בְּשַׂ֥ר (bə·śar) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man of Your saints חֲ֝סִידֶ֗יךָ (ḥă·sî·ḏe·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 2623: Kind, pious to the beasts לְחַיְתוֹ־ (lə·ḥay·ṯōw-) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life of the earth. אָֽרֶץ׃ (’ā·reṣ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land Links Psalm 79:2 NIVPsalm 79:2 NLT Psalm 79:2 ESV Psalm 79:2 NASB Psalm 79:2 KJV Psalm 79:2 BibleApps.com Psalm 79:2 Biblia Paralela Psalm 79:2 Chinese Bible Psalm 79:2 French Bible Psalm 79:2 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 79:2 They have given the dead bodies (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
    |