Psalm 79
God's Mercy in the Midst of Desolation
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Intro
Psalm 79 is a plea for deliverance, as the author laments over the destruction of Jerusalem. The desperation and longing for God's mercy echoed in this psalm find ultimate fulfillment in the saving work of Jesus Christ.
Section 1: Lament Over Jerusalem (vs. 1-4)
"O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. 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. They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them. We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us."
Harmony
The Psalmist's lament over the desecration of Jerusalem anticipates Jesus' own lament over the city in Luke 19:41-44. The psalm's vivid description of blood poured out, while illustrating the harsh reality of their situation, also foreshadows Jesus' blood shed for humanity's redemption.
Talking Points
The profound sorrow over Jerusalem's desolation and the parallel with Jesus' lament over the city.
The significance of blood in this psalm and its connection to Jesus' sacrificial death.
The mockery and derision faced by the people of God, echoing the mockery Jesus faced during His crucifixion.
Questions
How does the psalmist's lament mirror the sorrows and sufferings in our world today?
How does Jesus' lament over Jerusalem influence our understanding of His heart for people and places?
How does understanding the psalmist's reference to blood help us appreciate the significance of Jesus' sacrifice?
Section 2: Plea for Deliverance (vs. 8-9)
"Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake!"
Harmony
The plea for deliverance and atonement prefigures the ultimate atonement accomplished by Jesus' death and resurrection. The call to God as the "God of our salvation" foreshadows the salvation offered to all through faith in Jesus (Acts 4:12).
Talking Points
The deep longing for deliverance and mercy present in the psalmist's plea.
The anticipation of God's ultimate act of atonement and deliverance through Jesus.
The glory of God's name revealed in His acts of salvation.
Questions
How does the psalmist's plea for deliverance resonate with our own cries for God's help?
How does Jesus' act of atonement fulfill the longings expressed in this psalm?
How does salvation through Jesus reflect the glory of God's name?
Section 3: Vow to Praise God Forever (vs. 13)
"But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise."
Harmony
The vow to perpetually praise God anticipates the eternal worship described in the book of Revelation (Revelation 7:9-12). The imagery of God's people as "sheep of your pasture" aligns with the metaphor of Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11).
Talking Points
The enduring commitment to praise God amidst suffering.
The vision of eternal praise in the book of Revelation.
Jesus as the Good Shepherd caring for His flock.
Questions
How can we remain committed to praising God during challenging times?
How does the eternal praise depicted in Revelation encourage us in our current worship?
What comfort and guidance do we receive knowing Jesus as our Good Shepherd?
Summary
Psalm 79 is a lamentation filled with sorrow and a desperate plea for deliverance, yet concludes with a firm commitment to praise God. This psalm's raw emotion and longing for God's mercy foreshadow the fulfillment of these desires in Jesus Christ.
The lament over Jerusalem echoes Jesus' own sorrow for the city, and the plea for deliverance anticipates the ultimate salvation offered through His sacrifice. As the psalmist vows to continually praise God, we are reminded of the eternal worship we will offer in the presence of Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
Thus, through Psalm 79, we learn to lament, seek God's deliverance, and remain committed to praise amidst trials, seeing the ultimate fulfillment of these themes in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The psalm, like the New Testament, leads us to hope in God's mercy and saving work.