King James Version

What Does Psalms 79:2 Mean?

Psalms 79:2 in the King James Version says “The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto th...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 79 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.”

Psalms 79:2 · KJV

Context

1

A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps. of: or, for

2

The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.

3

Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.

4

We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. This horrifying image depicts covenant violation of the most extreme kind. The Hebrew nevelah (נְבֵלָה) for "dead bodies" specifically refers to corpses denied proper burial—an unspeakable disgrace in ancient Near Eastern culture. The psalmist laments that God's avadim (עֲבָדֶיךָ, servants) and chasidim (חֲסִידֶיךָ, faithful ones/saints) have been left as carrion.

Denial of burial violated the most basic human dignity. Deuteronomy 21:22-23 mandated same-day burial even for executed criminals. Leaving bodies exposed to scavengers was reserved for the most contemptible enemies (1 Kings 14:11; Jeremiah 7:33). Yet here, God's covenant people—those who served Him faithfully—suffer this ultimate indignity. The parallel structure emphasizes the horror: "fowls of the heaven" and "beasts of the earth" together consume those who belonged to the God of heaven and earth.

This verse echoes Jeremiah's prophecy of Jerusalem's destruction (Jeremiah 7:33, 16:4, 19:7), suggesting the psalm reflects the Babylonian conquest of 586 BC. The theological crisis is acute: if God's faithful servants suffer such desecration, where is His covenant faithfulness? The lament doesn't question God's existence but demands explanation for apparent abandonment of those who bore His name.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This psalm likely commemorates the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, when Nebuchadnezzar's armies breached the walls, burned the temple, and slaughtered thousands. Archaeological evidence from this period reveals burn layers in Jerusalem and mass burial sites. The siege and its aftermath were catastrophic—starvation, mass executions, deportation, and temple desecration. Bodies would have been left unburied during the chaos, precisely fulfilling the covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28:26.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do believers today process apparent divine abandonment when God's people suffer extreme persecution and martyrdom?
  2. What does it mean that even God's 'servants' and 'saints' are not promised exemption from brutal suffering in this fallen world?
  3. How does this verse prepare us to pray honestly about atrocities committed against Christians in hostile nations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
נָֽתְנ֡וּ1 of 11

“have they given”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת2 of 11
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נִבְלַ֬ת3 of 11

“The dead bodies”

H5038

a flabby thing, i.e., a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively); figuratively, an idol

עֲבָדֶ֗יךָ4 of 11

“of thy servants”

H5650

a servant

מַ֭אֲכָל5 of 11

“to be meat”

H3978

an eatable (including provender, flesh and fruit)

לְע֣וֹף6 of 11

“unto the fowls”

H5775

a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively

הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם7 of 11

“of the heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

בְּשַׂ֥ר8 of 11

“the flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

חֲ֝סִידֶ֗יךָ9 of 11

“of thy saints”

H2623

properly, kind, i.e., (religiously) pious (a saint)

לְחַיְתוֹ10 of 11

“unto the beasts”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

אָֽרֶץ׃11 of 11

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 79:2 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 79:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 7:33Jeremiah 34:20Jeremiah 16:4Deuteronomy 28:26Jeremiah 19:7Jeremiah 15:3

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