Psalms 79:12

And render unto our neighbours seven fold into their bosom, Not seven fold for one, as the Targum paraphrases it, or a seven fold punishment for one sin; but that he would recompense their sins, or…

And 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…

The petitions here put up to God are very suitable to the present distresses of the church, and they have pleas to enforce them, interwoven with them, taken mostly from God's honour.

I. They pray that…

our neighbours Cp. Psa 79:79: the nations around, such as the Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites, which instead of sympathising rejoiced at Israel's calamity. Cp. Ezekiel 25.

sevenfold Cp. Gen 4:15;…