Psalms 79:2 - 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.
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What does "Psalms 79:2" mean?
Psalm 79:2 describes a scene of utter devastation and desecration. It's a vivid and horrifying depiction of the consequences of defeat and the enemy's cruelty. Let's break down what it means:
"They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food for the birds of the sky..." This line signifies that the bodies of God's people (His "servants") have been left unburied and exposed. To leave a body unburied was considered a terrible disgrace and defilement in ancient Israel, a sign of utter contempt. The birds of the sky scavenging the corpses emphasize the utter lack of respect for the dead and the humiliation of God's people.
"...the flesh of your saints to the animals of the earth." Similar to the first line, this highlights the gruesome fate of God's "saints" (holy ones, or those set apart to God). Their bodies are not given proper burial rites but are instead left as carrion for wild animals. This further emphasizes the shame and dishonor brought upon God's people and their land.
Overall Meaning:
The verse vividly illustrates:
The brutality of the enemy: It shows the enemy's ruthless cruelty and their complete disregard for the sanctity of life and death.
Defilement and desecration: The act of leaving bodies unburied was a deep religious offense, defiling the land and the memory of the dead.
Humiliation of God's people: The verse highlights the profound shame and humiliation suffered by the Israelites due to their defeat. It symbolizes the stripping away of their dignity and their abandonment to a horrifying fate.
The perceived absence of God's protection: The psalm as a whole is a lament, a cry to God to intervene and restore His people. This verse contributes to that sense of abandonment and the feeling that God has allowed this terrible thing to happen.
In short, Psalm 79:2 is a powerful expression of the suffering, degradation, and perceived abandonment experienced by the Israelites during a time of national crisis. It's a raw and disturbing image meant to evoke a sense of horror and to emphasize the urgent need for God's intervention.
Psalms 79:2 - 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.
What does "Psalms 79:2" mean?
Psalm 79:2 describes a scene of utter devastation and desecration. It's a vivid and horrifying depiction of the consequences of defeat and the enemy's cruelty. Let's break down what it means:
"They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food for the birds of the sky..." This line signifies that the bodies of God's people (His "servants") have been left unburied and exposed. To leave a body unburied was considered a terrible disgrace and defilement in ancient Israel, a sign of utter contempt. The birds of the sky scavenging the corpses emphasize the utter lack of respect for the dead and the humiliation of God's people.
"...the flesh of your saints to the animals of the earth." Similar to the first line, this highlights the gruesome fate of God's "saints" (holy ones, or those set apart to God). Their bodies are not given proper burial rites but are instead left as carrion for wild animals. This further emphasizes the shame and dishonor brought upon God's people and their land.
Overall Meaning:
The verse vividly illustrates:
The brutality of the enemy: It shows the enemy's ruthless cruelty and their complete disregard for the sanctity of life and death.
Defilement and desecration: The act of leaving bodies unburied was a deep religious offense, defiling the land and the memory of the dead.
Humiliation of God's people: The verse highlights the profound shame and humiliation suffered by the Israelites due to their defeat. It symbolizes the stripping away of their dignity and their abandonment to a horrifying fate.
The perceived absence of God's protection: The psalm as a whole is a lament, a cry to God to intervene and restore His people. This verse contributes to that sense of abandonment and the feeling that God has allowed this terrible thing to happen.
In short, Psalm 79:2 is a powerful expression of the suffering, degradation, and perceived abandonment experienced by the Israelites during a time of national crisis. It's a raw and disturbing image meant to evoke a sense of horror and to emphasize the urgent need for God's intervention.