Psalms 78:61

78:61 He allowed the symbol of his strong presence to be captured; ¹ 

he gave the symbol of his splendor ²  into the hand of the enemy. ³ 

Psalms 78:64

78:64 Their ⁴  priests fell by the sword,

but their ⁵  widows did not weep. ⁶ 

[78:61]  ¹ tn Heb “and he gave to captivity his strength.” The expression “his strength” refers metonymically to the ark of the covenant, which was housed in the tabernacle at Shiloh.

[78:61]  ² tn Heb “and his splendor into the hand of an enemy.” The expression “his splendor” also refers metonymically to the ark of the covenant.

[78:61]  ³ sn Verses 60-61 refer to the Philistines’ capture of the ark in the days of Eli (1 Sam 4:1-11).

[78:64]  ⁴ tn Heb “his.” The singular pronominal suffix is collective, referring back to God’s “people” (v. 62).

[78:64]  ⁵ tn Heb “his.” The singular pronominal suffix is collective, referring back to God’s “people” (v. 62).

[78:64]  ⁶ sn Because of the invading army and the ensuing panic, the priests’ widows had no time to carry out the normal mourning rites.