Psalms 79:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist asks God to hear the cries of captives and use His power to save those doomed to death.
The Context of Psalms 79:11
The psalmist appeals for God to hear the cries of the captive and condemned.
What Does Psalms 79:11 Mean?
'The sighing of the prisoner' refers both to literal captives taken in war and, metaphorically, to all who suffer under oppression. The image of sighing—deep, anguished breathing—conveys a cry of desperation that rises before God's throne. The psalmist trusts that God hears such prayers and is moved by the suffering of His people.
'Those that are appointed to die' likely refers to prisoners marked for execution, yet the psalmist appeals to God's power to preserve them. The phrase 'according to the greatness of thy power' asserts that nothing lies beyond God's ability to accomplish. Even those seemingly lost can be saved by divine intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 79:11
What does Psalms 79:11 mean?
The psalmist asks God to hear the cries of captives and use His power to save those doomed to death.
What is the context of Psalms 79:11?
The psalmist appeals for God to hear the cries of the captive and condemned.