Psalms 79:12

Psalms 79:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.
• New International Version (NIV)Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord!
• New King James Version (NKJV)And return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom Their reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord.

Context of Psalms 79:12

10Foreign nations are saying about us, ‘Their God cannot help them!’ That is not right! People of those nations have murdered your servants, so punish them for us to see. 11Listen to the prisoners who are in pain! They are calling out for help. Use your great power to make them free, before their enemies kill them. Lord, those countries near to us have insulted you. Punish them as they deserve, seven times over! Give them as much trouble as they have given to you. 13Then we will continue to thank you for ever. You take care of us, as the sheep in your field. We will tell our children and grandchildren to praise you, as you deserve.

Psalms 79:12 word by word

וְהָ֘שֵׁ֤ב לִשְׁכֵנֵ֣ינוּ שִׁ֭בְעָתַיִם אֶל־חֵיקָ֑ם חֶרְפָּ֘תָ֤ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר חֵרְפ֣וּךָ אֲדֹנָֽי׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And renderשׁוּבshûb · to return: returnH7725
• unto our neighboursשָׁכֵןshâkên · neighborH7934
• sevenfoldשִׁבְעָתַיִםshib‛âthayim · sevenfoldH7659
• into their bosomחֵיקchêyq chêq chôq · bosom: lapH2436
• their reproachחֶרְפָּהcherpâh · reproachH2781
• wherewith they have reproachedחָרַףchâraph · to tauntH2778
• thee, O Lordאֲדֹנָי'ădônây · LordH136

Cross-references for Psalms 79:12

• Genesis 4:15But the Lord said to Cain, ‘No! If anyone kills Cain, I will punish that person seven times more than I have punished you.’ Then the Lord put a special mark on Cain. This was to tell other people that they must not kill Cain.
• Leviticus 26:21The people may still not listen to God. If they do not, he will be seven times more angry. If they do not obey him, he will cause their lives to be seven times more difficult.
• Isaiah 65:5They say to each other, “Keep away from me! Do not come near me! I am too holy for you!” These people are like smoke in my nose! They are like a fire that burns all day.’
• Jeremiah 32:18You show your faithful love to thousands of people. But you also punish people for the sins that their ancestors did in past times. You are the great and powerful God, the Lord Almighty.
• Luke 6:38Give to other people and God will give to you. He will give to you even more than you gave. He will fill your pocket until no more will go in. It will be so full that it will come out over the top. Think about how you give to other people. God will give in the same way to you.’
• Psalms 44:16This is because my cruel enemies are always insulting me. All they want is to hurt me.
• Psalms 74:18Lord, think about your enemies. They are always laughing at you. Foolish people are insulting your name.

Commentaries on Psalms 79:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Sevenfold into their bosom - That is, Let them get in this world what they deserve for the cruelties they have inflicted on us. Let them suffer in captivity, who now have us in bondage. Probably this is a prediction.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12And render unto our neighbors - That is, the neighbors who had reproached them; the surrounding people who had seen these calamities come upon them, and who had regarded these calamities as proof that their God was unable to protect them, or that they were suffering under his displeasure. See the notes at Psalm 79:4. “Sevenfold.” Seven times the amount of reproach which they have heaped upon us. The word seven is often used to denote many, as seven was…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-13Verses 6-13 Those who persist in ignorance of God, and neglect of prayer, are the ungodly. How unrighteous soever men were, the Lord was righteous in permitting them to do what they did. Deliverances from trouble are mercies indeed, when grounded upon the pardon of sin; we should therefore be more earnest in prayer for the removal of our sins than for the removal of afflictions. They had no hopes but from God's mercies, his tender mercies. They plead no…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12The exile resulted in national suffering and in individual searching for the Lord. Pay back: See Psalm 1:6; 94:2; Jeremiah 32:18. The phrase sevenfold means something is complete. Israel's neighbors included Edom, Moab, and Ammon (see Psalm 137:7; 2 Kings 24:2; Obadiah 1).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. into their bosom--The lap or folds of the dress is used by Eastern people for receiving articles. The figure denotes retaliation (compare Is 65:6, 7). They reproached God as well as His people.Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 79:12

• Prayer

In the dictionaries

• Apparel
• Asaph
• Dress
• Jealousy
• Psalms
• Purge
• Seven
• Bosom
• God
• Intercession

Commentaries on Psalms 79

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary