Psalm 79 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
The Psalms continue to reveal the human struggle with control. When we have control (or think we do), everything is fine and dandy. When we feel control slipping away, we struggle. Immediately, we turn to God and wrestle with Him over the reality that faces us. I use the word immediately because this is how we process. We are impatiently wired to find solutions to our issues as quickly as possible. This is by no means a negative characteristic. However, it can become a big issue when we allow it to derail our faith. Here in Psalm 79, the psalmist pleads with God asking a familiar question.
How long, Yahweh? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy keep burning like fire?
Psalms 79:5 HCSB
How long? We’ve probably all asked God this question… multiple times a day. But seriously, we’ve asked it a lot. Again, our nature is to minimize pain, eliminate suffering and bring our world back into balance. God does not often work as quickly as we would like. This is an aspect to the Psalms that I appreciate so much. It is a series of laments and praises all focused around authentic struggles. There is pain, questioning, wrestling, mourning, anger, and depression. But, the one constant is praise. No matter what the situation, hope sits on the horizon. The night may seem like forever, but the joy is coming in the morning.
Psalm 79 is no different. Though the psalmist asks for vengeance on his enemies, it is very fitting that he ends with praise.
Then we, Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will thank You forever; we will declare Your praise to generation after generation.
Psalms 79:13 HCSB
We must remember that joyful praise will eventually replace our debilitating feelings of hurt, anger, and bitterness. God will restore balance. He will have His justice. He has promised to make all things new.