The poetic structure and strategy of Psalm 79

Abstract

This paper endeavours to analyse Psalm 79 as a poetic composition and an ideological document. From the analysis, it seems that the psalm primarily served a Judaean community of believers as a means of coping with their feelings of indignation, shame, and frustration some time after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. The argument used is that Yahweh's efforts to exact punishment from his people for their contravening stipulations of the covenant have become detrimental to his honour. It suggests that it is time for Yahweh to act on behalf of his honour. The psalm simultaneously seems to have served as a confession of the community's faith that Yahweh can and will intervene on their behalf.