Psalms 78:48

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 78:48 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He gave over their cattle also to the hail, And their flocks to hot thunderbolts.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He gave over their cattle also to the hail, And their flocks to hot thunderbolts.
Psalms 78:48 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 78

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
48He gave over their cattle also to the hail, And their flocks to hot thunderbolts.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, etc.] God is to be blessed as the Father of mercies; as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; and as the covenant God and Father of his people in him, of the true Israel of God: which is done by celebrating his blessedness in himself; by ascribing to him all blessedness enjoyed, as the author of it; and by giving him honour, glory, and blessing for it. From everlasting to everlasting; here and hereafter, in time and to all eternity; from this world to that which is to come, as the Targum; and which Arama observes are the days of the Messiah. And let all the people say, Amen; so be it; to giving thanks to God, to praising his name, and ascribing…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He gave up their cattle also to the hail - Margin, he shut up. Exodus 9:22-25. And their flocks to hot thunderbolts - Margin, lightnings. The original word means flame; then, lightning. There is no allusion in the word to the idea of a bolt, or shaft, accompanying the lightning or the thunder, by which destruction is produced. The destruction is caused by the lightning, and not by the thunder, and it is hardly necessary to say that there is no shaft or bolt that accompanies it. Probably this notion was formerly entertained, and found its way into the common language used. The same idea is retained by us in the word thunderbolt. But this idea is not in the original; nor is there any…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“gave up: Heb. shut up hot thunderbolts: or, lightnings, Exo 9:28 Psalms 78:49”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification