AN APPEAL FOR MERCY.
Psalm 79:8-10.
God’s people can sometimes see their afflictions as the outworking of their own rebellion against Him. Our failure to keep the LORD’s covenant may often be the cause of our problems, but our repentance brings us to the final court of appeal: His “tender mercies,” covenant love, or compassion (PSALM 79:8). That is why we confess “former iniquities” (PSALM 79:8), and ask that He “purge away our sins,” for His Name’s sake (PSALM 79:9).
We can plead for help and repent of sins: for we know God as the God of our salvation (PSALM 79:9). And though we may be brought “very low” (PSALM 79:8), we know that He will do all for the glory of His great Name (PSALM 79:9). And it is for the glory of HIS Name that we do pray for His help, ask for deliverance, and plead for forgiveness (PSALM 79:9).
PSALM 79:10 gives expression to a holy jealousy on the part of God’s people: that HE would set right the wrongs that have befallen them. This is the equivalent of patriotism: for who would not desire to see his nation’s wrongs rectified? – how much more the cause of Christ! Imprecation is not necessarily vindictive, but just, and desires to see recompense against the oppressors of God’s inheritance (cf. Psalm 79:1-3).
