Skip to main content
Psalmlog Logo
Read

Psalm 79:10

Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let it be known among the nations, before our eyes, that vengeance for your servants’ blood is being poured out.

8Don’t hold the iniquities of our forefathers against us. Let your tender mercies speedily meet us, for we are in desperate need.
9Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of your name. Deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name’s sake.
10Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let it be known among the nations, before our eyes, that vengeance for your servants’ blood is being poured out.
11Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you. According to the greatness of your power, preserve those who are sentenced to death.
12Pay back to our neighbors seven times into their bosom their reproach with which they have reproached you, Lord.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →
← Psalm 79:9Psalm 79:11 →
Notice

The blood of God's slain servants makes the nations' taunt cruel, and the prayer asks for vengeance that survivors can see.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What changes when you read the nations' taunt against the background of God's servants being killed?

Write on this

What tension, if any, do you find in asking God for vengeance?

Write on this

What does the plea to see judgment “before our eyes” express about waiting for justice?

Write on this
Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 42:3My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually ask me, “Where is your God?”Both prayers describe suffering sharpened by people who taunt the afflicted by questioning where their God is.
Psalm 115:2Why should the nations say, “Where is their God, now?”Both psalms ask why the nations should question where God's people's God is.
Joel 2:17Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, “Spare your people, LORD, and don’t give your heritage to …Both prayers appeal to God over his people's reproach and the nations' taunt about where their God is.
Psalm 30:1A Psalm. A Song for the Dedication of the Temple. By David. I will extol you, LORD, for you have raised me up, and have not made my foes to rejoice over me.Both concern enemies gloating over suffering; Psalm 79 pleads for action, while Psalm 30 thanks God for preventing their triumph.
Micah 7:10Then my enemy will see it, and shame will cover her who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?” My eyes will see her. Now she will be trodden down like the …Both connect a taunt about God's whereabouts with the prospect of seeing judgment fall on those who mock.
Psalm 42:10As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me, while they continually ask me, “Where is your God?”Both describe adversaries questioning God's presence, though Psalm 42 describes piercing reproach and Psalm 79 speaks of servants' blood.
Ezekiel 37:28The nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is among them forever more.”’”Both concern the nations recognizing God: Psalm 79 seeks visible vengeance, while Ezekiel promises recognition through God's sanctuary among Israel.
Revelation 6:10They cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”Both prayers ask God to avenge the blood of those who belong to him.
1 Kings 20:28A man of God came near and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “The LORD says, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The LORD is a god of the hills, but he is …Both connect claims that belittle God with divine action that makes his power known.
Exodus 6:7I will take you to myself for a people. I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brings you out from under the burdens of the …Both concern God's bond with his people amid oppression; Psalm 79 seeks vengeance, while Exodus promises deliverance.
Revelation 18:20“Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints, apostles, and prophets, for God has judged your judgment on her.”Psalm 79 asks for vengeance for God's servants; Revelation announces God's judgment on behalf of his saints, apostles, and prophets.
Exodus 7:5The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD when I stretch out my hand on Egypt, and bring the children of Israel out from among them.”Both connect God's action against oppressors with recognition of him among those outside his people.
Where this verse fits

Injustice and anger. grief. waiting.

What the Bible says about anger →What the Bible says about grief →What the Bible says about patience →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Pray for God's justice over one report of bloodshed

prayeroncemedium
Encouragement

The plea for vengeance comes from people mourning God's slain servants. Their prayer addresses God, leaving judgment in his hands; it gives no command to carry out revenge.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 79:10. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 79 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).