Psalms 78:64

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 78:64 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Their priests fell by the sword; And their widows made no lamentation.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Their priests fell by the sword; And their widows made no lamentation.
Psalms 78:64 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 78

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
64Their priests fell by the sword; And their widows made no lamentation.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Their priests fell by the sword, etc.] Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, and other priests; which shows the cruelty of the enemy, not to spare men unarmed, as the priests were; and the justice of God, which pursued these men, who were very wicked, and whose character and office could not secure them from divine wrath: and their widows made no lamentation; for their husbands the priests, who fell by the sword; particularly the widow of Phinehas, who upon the news fell into labour, and as soon as she brought forth her child died, and while she lived took no notice of the death of her husband, nor lamented that, only that the ark of the Lord was taken, (<090419>1 Samuel 4:19-22), and which…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Their priests fell by the sword - Compare 1 Samuel 4:11. It was considered a special calamity that the ministers of religion were cut down in war. And their widows made no lamentation - That is, the public troubles were so great, the danger was still so imminent, the calamities thickened so fast, that there was no opportunity for public mourning by formal processions of women, and loud lamentations, such as were usual on these occasions. See the notes at Job 27:15. The meaning is not that there was a want of affection or attachment on the part of the friends of the slain, or that there was no real grief, but that there was no opportunity for displaying it in the customary manner. return to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Priests - Hophni and Phinehas. No lamentation - No funeral solemnities; either because they were prevented by their own death, as the wife of Phinehas was, or disturbed by the invasion of the enemy. Psalms 78:66”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“priests: Sa1 2:33, Sa1 2:34, Sa1 4:11, Sa1 4:17, Sa1 22:18, Sa1 22:19 widows: Sa1 4:19, Sa1 4:20; Job 27:15; Eze 24:23 Psalms 78:65”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification