Psalms 79:2

The dead bodies of thy seruants haue they giuen to bee meate vnto the foules of the heauen: the flesh of thy Saints vnto the beasts of the earth. Psalms 79:2 (KJV)

Psalm 79 is a lamentation attributed to Asaph, a chief musician during the time of David. The psalmist voices deep distress over a grievous situation that likely followed the destruction of Jerusalem and the desecration of the Temple by foreign invaders. In the ancient world, bodies left unburied were exposed to scavengers, a tragic reality reflected in the verse. Historical accounts such as 2 Kings 25:8‑10 and Jeremiah 52:12‑13 describe similar scenes of devastation, underscoring the authenticity of the psalmist’s lament.

The language of the verse is stark and symbolic. It portrays the bodies of God’s servants as being cast out to the outskirts, becoming food for the birds of the heavens, while the flesh of the saints is given to the beasts of the earth. The phrase “the habitation of the dead” emphasizes the nation’s humiliation and the depth of loss, suggesting that the dead are relegated to a realm of utter abandonment.

Theological reflection emerges from this vivid imagery. The psalmist’s anguish serves as a powerful plea for divine justice and deliverance. By describing the utter disrespect shown to the dead, the psalmist calls attention to the need for God’s intervention to restore honor to His people and to punish those who have caused such disgrace. The verse thus functions both as a lament over present suffering and as a prayerful appeal for future redemption and vindication.