Purpose

To provide a songbook for worship and express the full range of human emotions in relationship with God.

Author

Multiple authors over 1,000 years. David wrote nearly half (73 psalms), often during his years as a shepherd, warrior, and king. Other contributors include worship leaders, musicians, and poets.

Historical Context

Written: 1440-400 BC. Israel's worship songs covering 1,000 years of history from Moses to the exile.

Significance

The Bible's prayer book and hymnal, showing us how to relate to God honestly in every circumstance.

Key Themes

Worship, Prayer, God's Character, Trust, Deliverance

Interesting Facts

• Psalms is the longest book in the Bible with 150 chapters
• Jesus quoted Psalms more than any other Old Testament book
• Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible (2 verses)

Prophecies

• Messianic psalms predicting Christ's suffering and glory (Psalms 22, 69, 110, etc.) Fulfilled: Jesus fulfilled these in His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension (1000 years later)

Psalm 79, attributed to Asaph, is a poignant lament that reflects the deep sorrow and despair of the Israelites in the face of national catastrophe. The psalm opens with a stark acknowledgment of the devastation inflicted upon Jerusalem by foreign nations. The imagery is vivid and disturbing, as the psalmist describes the defilement of God’s holy temple and the destruction of the city, which was once a symbol of divine presence and protection. The loss is not merely physical; it represents a profound spiritual crisis for the people of Israel. The psalmist laments the treatment of the faithful, whose bodies have been left unburied, a sign of utter disgrace and abandonment in the ancient Near Eastern context. In the midst of this sorrow, Asaph expresses a desperate plea for divine intervention. The repetition of the question, "How long, O Lord?" highlights the urgency and anguish of the people as they await God's response to their plight. The request for God's anger to manifest against the nations that have wronged Israel underscores a longing for justice and vindication. Asaph implores God to remember the sins of the people but simultaneously pleads for mercy, emphasizing their lowly state and the need for divine compassion. The psalm transitions from a focus on the suffering of the people to a call for God's glory. The psalmist desires that God’s name be vindicated, urging God to act on behalf of His people so that the nations may recognize His power and presence. This dual focus on personal suffering and divine glory encapsulates the essence of lament in the Psalms, where human despair meets divine hope. The concluding verses express a resolve to praise God, emphasizing the enduring relationship between God and His people despite their current suffering. This psalm serves as a theological reflection on the nature of God's justice, mercy, and the communal aspect of lamenting in times of national crisis.