The Meaning of Psalms 79:8 Explained

Psalms 79:8

KJV: O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.

YLT: Remember not for us the iniquities of forefathers, Haste, let Thy mercies go before us, For we have been very weak.

Darby: Remember not against us the iniquities of our forefathers; let thy tender mercies speedily come to meet us: for we are brought very low.

ASV: Remember not against us the iniquities of our forefathers: Let thy tender mercies speedily meet us; For we are brought very low.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

O remember  not against us former  iniquities:  let thy tender mercies  speedily  prevent  us: for we are brought  very  low. 

What does Psalms 79:8 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 79:1-13 - "help Us, O God Of Our Salvation"
It was the period of the Chaldean invasion. This cry of horror went forth from the heart of the Chosen People, who had looked upon the sacred shrine as inviolable. They could not believe that the tide of invasion could break in upon Jerusalem, or that the Holy City should be defiled by the profane feet of the heathen. This psalm should be compared with the book of Lamentations. We there find the same horror, the same anguish, the same sense of surprise, the same hatred of the foe, the same cry to God.
Does it seem as if God were angry with you? Have the heathen forced their way into the inner shrine and city of your heart? Are you brought very low and near unto death? Then begin to inquire whether some sin may not have alienated God from you. Confess it and put it away. Turn to God with a free and glad faith. Ask that His mercies may prevent (literally, "go before") and His help succor you, for His Name's sake. The sighing of the captive and the greatness of God power, Psalms 79:11, are in close affinity; and when you are delivered, remember your vows, and show forth His praise to all within your reach. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 79

1  The psalmist complains of the desolation of Jerusalem
8  He prays for deliverance
13  and promises thankfulness

What do the individual words in Psalms 79:8 mean?

Not Oh do remember against us iniquities former speedily let come to meet us Your tender mercies for we have been brought low very
אַֽל־ תִּזְכָּר־ לָנוּ֮ עֲוֺנֹ֪ת רִאשֹׁ֫נִ֥ים מַ֭הֵר יְקַדְּמ֣וּנוּ רַחֲמֶ֑יךָ כִּ֖י דַלּ֣וֹנוּ מְאֹֽד

תִּזְכָּר־  Oh  do  remember 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: זָכַר 
Sense: to remember, recall, call to mind.
לָנוּ֮  against  us 
Parse: Preposition, first person common plural
עֲוֺנֹ֪ת  iniquities 
Parse: Noun, common plural
Root: עָוֹן  
Sense: perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity.
רִאשֹׁ֫נִ֥ים  former 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: רִאשֹׁון  
Sense: first, primary, former.
מַ֭הֵר  speedily 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: מַהֵר  
Sense: hurrying, speedy, swift, hastening adv.
יְקַדְּמ֣וּנוּ  let  come  to  meet  us 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, third person masculine plural, first person common plural
Root: קָדַם  
Sense: to meet, come or be in front, confront, go before.
רַחֲמֶ֑יךָ  Your  tender  mercies 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: רַחַם 
Sense: womb.
דַלּ֣וֹנוּ  we  have  been  brought  low 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common plural
Root: דָּלַל 
Sense: to hang, languish, hang down, be low.
מְאֹֽד  very 
Parse: Adverb
Root: מְאֹד  
Sense: exceedingly, much subst.