King James Version

What Does Psalms 79:11 Mean?

Psalms 79:11 in the King James Version says “Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are a...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 79 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die; thy: Heb. thine arm preserve: Heb. reserve the children of death”

Psalms 79:11 · KJV

Context

9

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.

10

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. revenging: Heb. vengeance

11

Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die; thy: Heb. thine arm preserve: Heb. reserve the children of death

12

And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

13

So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations. to all: Heb. to generation and generation

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die; This verse shifts imagery from slaughtered dead to living prisoners awaiting execution. "Sighing" (en'qat, אֶנְקַת) derives from anaq (אָנַק), meaning groaning, sighing—the involuntary sounds of anguish too deep for words. This echoes Romans 8:26's Spirit-interpreted groans. "The prisoner" (asir, אָסִיר) refers to captives—likely exiles in Babylon or survivors facing execution.

"Come before thee" (tavo lefanekha, תָּבוֹא לְפָנֶיךָ) requests that these inarticulate groans reach God's throne as acceptable prayer. The phrase assumes God hears and cares, even when His people can't formulate coherent petitions. This reflects Hebrew anthropology: God perceives heart-cries that transcend verbal expression. The prisoners' wordless groans become liturgy ascending to heaven.

"According to the greatness of thy power" (kegodel zero'akha, כְּגֹדֶל זְרוֹעֲךָ) appeals to God's zero'a (זְרוֹעַ, arm)—symbol of divine might demonstrated in exodus (Exodus 6:6, 15:16). "Preserve those appointed to die" (hoter beney temutah, הוֹתֵר בְּנֵי תְמוּתָה) literally means "leave remaining the children of death"—those already sentenced to execution. The request is for miraculous intervention: reverse irreversible sentences, rescue those beyond human help. Only divine power can save the condemned.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The phrase "appointed to die" reflects the precarious existence of exiles under foreign rule. Babylonian kings held power of life and death over captive populations. Daniel 2:12-13 illustrates such arbitrary death sentences. The appeal to God's "arm" recalls exodus deliverance, drawing parallel between Egyptian bondage and Babylonian exile. Just as God's power freed Israel from Pharaoh, it can free them from Nebuchadnezzar. This typological thinking shaped Israel's hope for new exodus.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's ability to hear inarticulate sighs and groans comfort believers facing overwhelming suffering?
  2. What does appealing to 'the greatness of thy power' reveal about faith's confidence in God's ability to do the humanly impossible?
  3. How should Christians pray for believers globally who face imminent execution for their faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
תָּ֤ב֣וֹא1 of 9

“come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְפָנֶיךָ֮2 of 9

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֶנְקַ֪ת3 of 9

“Let the sighing”

H603

shrieking

אָ֫סִ֥יר4 of 9

“of the prisoner”

H615

bound, i.e., a captive

כְּגֹ֥דֶל5 of 9

“thee according to the greatness”

H1433

magnitude (literally or figuratively)

זְרוֹעֲךָ֑6 of 9

“of thy power”

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

ה֝וֹתֵ֗ר7 of 9

“preserve”

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

בְּנֵ֣י8 of 9

“thou those that are appointed”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

תְמוּתָֽה׃9 of 9

“to die”

H8546

execution (as a doom)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 79:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 79:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 102:20Isaiah 42:7Psalms 146:6-7Isaiah 33:2Exodus 2:23-24Psalms 12:5

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