“Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.”
My Notes
What Does Psalms 79:10 Mean?
The psalmist prays from national disaster: why should the nations say "where is their God?" The question isn't about God's existence. It's about God's reputation. When Israel suffers, the nations interpret it as God's failure. And the psalmist wants God to answer the mockery — not for Israel's sake, but for His name's sake.
The answer the psalmist requests: let God be known among the nations through the avenging of His servants' blood. The shed blood of God's people is the evidence that demands a response. And the response will teach the nations who God is. The vengeance isn't gratuitous. It's educational. The nations need to learn that the God of Israel responds when His servants' blood is shed.
"In our sight" — the psalmist wants to see the vindication happen. Not just know about it. See it. The nations mocked publicly. The response should be equally public.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Where are the 'nations' in your life asking 'where is your God?' — and how do you handle the mockery?
- 2.Does praying for God's reputation (not just your comfort) change the weight and direction of your prayer?
- 3.How does visible vindication (in our sight) answer visible mockery?
- 4.Are you willing to wait for God's answer to the question — trusting it will come even when the mockery continues?
Devotional
The nations are asking: where is your God? And the psalmist says: show them. Let them see the answer.
When God's people suffer and the nations mock, the question isn't theological. It's reputational: where is your God? Translation: your God is either weak or absent. Your suffering proves it. The mockery targets God through His people.
The psalmist doesn't argue with the mockery. He prays through it: God, answer the question. Not by defending Your theology. By acting. Let the nations see the avenging of Your servants' blood. Let the visible vindication answer the verbal mockery.
"The blood of thy servants which is shed" — real blood. Real people. Real death. The suffering isn't abstract. God's servants have been killed. Their blood is on the ground. And the nations are stepping over it, asking: where is their God?
The prayer is for God's reputation, not just Israel's comfort. "Let him be known among the heathen" — the vindication will teach the nations something. Not just settle a score. Educate. The response to the blood will reveal who God is to people who have been asking where He is.
"In our sight" — the psalmist wants to witness the answer. The mockery was visible. The vindication should be too. The nations asked publicly. God should answer publicly. The blood was shed openly. The avenging should be just as open.
God's answer to "where is your God?" isn't always immediate. But it's always eventual. And when it arrives, the nations that asked the question receive the answer they didn't want.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Wherefore should the Heathen say, where is their God?.... They boast of, and put their confidence in, and expect…
Wherefore should the heathen say Where is their God? - The nations. Why should such a course of forbearance toward them…
The petitions here put up to God are very suitable to the present distresses of the church, and they have pleas to…
Wherefore&c. The same plea in Psa 115:2 (cp. also Psa 115:1 with Psa 79:79); Joe 2:17. Cp. Exo 32:12; Psa 42:3; Mic…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture