CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 78:63 Fire consumed His young men, and their maidens were left without wedding songs.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/78-63.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/19_Psa_078_063.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 78:63 - I Will Open My Mouth in Parables" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Fire consumed His young men, and their maidens were left without wedding songs." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/78-63.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/78-63.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/78.htm">Chapter 78</a> > Verse 63</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/78-62.htm" title="Psalm 78:62">◄</a> Psalm 78:63 <a href="/psalms/78-64.htm" title="Psalm 78:64">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/78.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Fire consumed their young men, and their young women had no wedding songs;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/78.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Their young men were killed by fire; their young women died before singing their wedding songs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/78.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Fire devoured their young men, and their young women had no marriage song.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Fire consumed His young men, and their maidens were left without wedding songs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/78.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/78.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The fire consumed their young men, And their maidens were not given in marriage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/78.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Fire devoured His young men, And His virgins had no wedding songs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Fire devoured His young men, And His virgins had no wedding songs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Fire devoured His young men; And His virgins had no wedding songs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/78.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Fire devoured His choice men, And His virgins had no wedding songs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/78.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The fire [of war] devoured His young men, And His [bereaved] virgins had no wedding songs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/78.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Fire consumed his chosen young men, and his young women had no wedding songs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/78.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Fire consumed His chosen young men, and His young women had no wedding songs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/78.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Fire devoured their young men; And their virgins had no marriage-song.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/78.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Fire destroyed the young men, and the young women were left with no one to marry. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/78.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Fire devoured their young men; and their maidens had no marriage-song.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/78.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Fire consumed his best young men, so his virgins heard no wedding songs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/78.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Young men were killed in war, and young women had no one to marry. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/78.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The young men were consumed by fire, and the virgins had no marriage celebrations. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/78.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Fire consumed His young men, and their maidens were left without wedding songs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/78.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Fire consumed their young men, and their virgins remained unmarried. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/78.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Fire devoured their young men. Their virgins had no wedding song.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/78.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/78.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Fire devoured their young men. Their virgins had no wedding song. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/78.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Fire has consumed His young men, "" And His virgins have not been praised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/78.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> His young men hath fire consumed, And His virgins have not been praised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/78.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The fire devoured his young men, and his virgins wailed not.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/78.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Fire consumed their young men: and their maidens were not lamented. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/78.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 77:63>Fire consumed their young men, and their virgins were not lamented.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/78.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Fire consumed their young men; their young women heard no wedding songs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/78.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Fire devoured their young men, and their girls had no marriage song.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/78.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were violated.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/78.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The fire consumed their boys and their virgins were abused.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/78.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Fire devoured their young men; And their virgins had no marriage-song.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/78.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Fire devoured their young men; and their virgins mourned not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/78-63.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=9884" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">I Will Open My Mouth in Parables</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">62</span>He surrendered His people to the sword because He was enraged by His heritage. <span class="reftext">63</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: ’êš (N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">Fire</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ’ā·ḵə·lāh- (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">consumed</a> <a href="/hebrew/970.htm" title="970: ba·ḥū·rāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- A young man. Or bachur; participle passive of bachar; properly, selected, i.e. A youth.">His young men,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1330.htm" title="1330: ū·ḇə·ṯū·lō·ṯāw (Conj-w:: N-fpc:: 3ms) -- Feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to separate; a virgin; sometimes a bride; also a city or state.">and their maidens</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">were left without</a> <a href="/hebrew/1984.htm" title="1984: hūl·lā·lū (V-Pual-Perf-3cp) -- To shine.">wedding songs.</a> </span><span class="reftext">64</span>His priests fell by the sword, but their widows could not lament.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-34.htm">Jeremiah 7:34</a></span><br />I will remove from the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem the sounds of joy and gladness and the voices of the bride and bridegroom, for the land will become a wasteland.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/16-9.htm">Jeremiah 16:9</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I am going to remove from this place, before your very eyes and in your days, the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-10.htm">Jeremiah 25:10</a></span><br />Moreover, I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the lamp.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/33-11.htm">Jeremiah 33:11</a></span><br />the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those bringing thank offerings into the house of the LORD, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever.’ For I will restore the land from captivity as in former times, says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/5-14.htm">Lamentations 5:14-15</a></span><br />The elders have left the city gate; the young men have stopped their music. / Joy has left our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/26-13.htm">Ezekiel 26:13</a></span><br />So I will silence the sound of your songs, and the music of your lyres will no longer be heard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/2-11.htm">Hosea 2:11</a></span><br />I will put an end to all her exultation: her feasts, New Moons, and Sabbaths—all her appointed feasts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/1-8.htm">Joel 1:8</a></span><br />Wail like a virgin dressed in sackcloth, grieving for the husband of her youth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/1-12.htm">Joel 1:12</a></span><br />The grapevine is dried up, and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, palm, and apple—all the trees of the orchard—are withered. Surely the joy of mankind has dried up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-10.htm">Amos 8:10</a></span><br />I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation. I will cause everyone to wear sackcloth and every head to be shaved. I will make it like a time of mourning for an only son, and its outcome like a bitter day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-23.htm">Revelation 18:23</a></span><br />The light of a lamp will never shine in you again, and the voices of a bride and bridegroom will never call out in you again. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-7.htm">Matthew 22:7</a></span><br />The king was enraged, and he sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-43.htm">Luke 19:43-44</a></span><br />For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. / They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-23.htm">Luke 21:23-24</a></span><br />How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! For there will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people. / They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/2-16.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:16</a></span><br />hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.</p><p class="hdg">fire</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/78-21.htm">Psalm 78:21</a></b></br> Therefore the LORD heard <i>this</i>, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/29-20.htm">Deuteronomy 29:20</a></b></br> The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-22.htm">Deuteronomy 32:22</a></b></br> For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.</p><p class="hdg">maidens</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/4-1.htm">Isaiah 4:1</a></b></br> And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/7-34.htm">Jeremiah 7:34</a></b></br> Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/16-9.htm">Jeremiah 16:9</a></b></br> For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.</p><p class="hdg">given to marriage.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/74-8.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/psalms/78-33.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/psalms/78-45.htm">Devoured</a> <a href="/psalms/78-21.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/psalms/68-25.htm">Maidens</a> <a href="/nehemiah/10-30.htm">Marriage</a> <a href="/psalms/72-15.htm">Praised</a> <a href="/psalms/77-6.htm">Song</a> <a href="/psalms/77-6.htm">Songs</a> <a href="/psalms/68-25.htm">Virgins</a> <a href="/psalms/45-1.htm">Wedding</a> <a href="/psalms/78-31.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/80-4.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/psalms/84-2.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/psalms/79-7.htm">Devoured</a> <a href="/psalms/79-5.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/psalms/148-12.htm">Maidens</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-6.htm">Marriage</a> <a href="/psalms/89-52.htm">Praised</a> <a href="/psalms/81-1.htm">Song</a> <a href="/psalms/95-1.htm">Songs</a> <a href="/psalms/148-12.htm">Virgins</a> <a href="/songs/3-11.htm">Wedding</a> <a href="/psalms/78-71.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 78</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-1.htm">An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-9.htm">The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient</a></span><br><span class="reftext">67. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-67.htm">The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/78.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/78.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Fire consumed His young men</b><br>This phrase can be understood both literally and metaphorically. In a literal sense, "fire" may refer to the judgment of God, often depicted as fire in the Old Testament (e.g., <a href="/numbers/11.htm">Numbers 11:1-3</a>, where fire from the LORD consumed those on the outskirts of the camp). Historically, this could relate to the destruction and loss of life during battles or divine judgment, such as the plagues or the Babylonian invasion. Metaphorically, "fire" symbolizes God's wrath and purification process. The "young men" represent the strength and future of the nation, indicating a significant loss. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God’s judgment on Israel for their disobedience, as seen in the cycles of sin and redemption throughout the book of Judges.<p><b>and their maidens were left without wedding songs</b><br>In ancient Israel, weddings were significant social events, often accompanied by music and celebration (<a href="/jeremiah/7-34.htm">Jeremiah 7:34</a>). The absence of "wedding songs" signifies a time of mourning and desolation, as the young women, who would typically be preparing for marriage, are left without prospects due to the loss of the young men. This reflects the cultural importance of marriage and family in Israelite society, where the continuation of lineage and community was paramount. The imagery of desolation is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/lamentations/5-15.htm">Lamentations 5:15</a>, where joy and celebration are turned to mourning. This phrase underscores the comprehensive impact of divine judgment, affecting not just the immediate victims but the entire community's social and cultural fabric.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/y/young_men.htm">Young Men</a></b><br>Refers to the Israelite warriors or the youth of Israel who were consumed by fire, symbolizing divine judgment or calamity.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/maidens.htm">Maidens</a></b><br>Represents the young women of Israel who were deprived of joy and celebration, specifically the joy of marriage.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/f/fire.htm">Fire</a></b><br>Symbolizes destruction and judgment, often used in the Old Testament to depict God's wrath or purifying presence.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/wedding_songs.htm">Wedding Songs</a></b><br>Represents joy, celebration, and the continuation of life and community, which were absent due to the calamity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_judgment_and_consequences.htm">Divine Judgment and Consequences</a></b><br>God's judgment is real and has tangible consequences on communities and individuals. The absence of wedding songs signifies a loss of hope and future.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>Disobedience to God can lead to severe consequences, as seen in the lives of the young men consumed by fire. Obedience is crucial for maintaining God's favor and blessings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community_in_mourning_and_joy.htm">The Role of Community in Mourning and Joy</a></b><br>The community suffers collectively when God's judgment falls. The absence of wedding songs affects not just individuals but the entire community's spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_restoration.htm">Hope in Restoration</a></b><br>While judgment is severe, God's ultimate plan includes restoration and hope. The absence of joy is temporary for those who turn back to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_78.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 78</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_78_align_with_archaeology.htm">How do the events recounted in Psalm 78 compare with archaeological findings regarding the Israelites' wilderness journey?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/if_god_is_everywhere,_how_is_hell_godless.htm">If God is omnipresent, how can Hell be a place where God is absent?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_psalm_18_7-15's_events.htm">How can the cosmic upheavals in Psalm 18:7-15 be reconciled with the lack of historical or scientific evidence for such events?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_psalm_63_differ_from_others.htm">If Psalm 63 is David's composition, why do some linguistic and thematic elements differ from other psalms attributed to him?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/78.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(63) <span class= "bld">Were not given.</span>--See margin. The desolation and misery were marked by the absence of the glad nuptial song.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/78.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 63.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The fire consumed their young men.</span> The reference is not to such passages as <a href="/leviticus/10-2.htm">Leviticus 10:2</a>; <a href="/numbers/11-1.htm">Numbers 11:1</a>; <a href="/numbers/16-35.htm">Numbers 16:35</a>, where a literal fire seems to be spoken of, but rather to the fire of war (<a href="/numbers/21-28.htm">Numbers 21:28</a>; <a href="/isaiah/26-11.htm">Isaiah 26:11</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/48-45.htm">Jeremiah 48:45</a>), or more generally to the fire of the Divine anger (<a href="/isaiah/10-16.htm">Isaiah 10:16-18</a>; <a href="/isaiah/47-14.htm">Isaiah 47:14</a>, etc.). <span class="cmt_word">And their maidens were not given to marriage;</span> literally, <span class="accented">were not praised in song; i.e.</span> in the bridal song. The destruction of the young men, either in battle or in any other way, caused there to be more marriageable girls in Israel than there were husbands for (comp. <a href="/isaiah/4-1.htm">Isaiah 4:1</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/78-63.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Fire</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֑שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’êš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">consumed</span><br /><span class="heb">אָֽכְלָה־</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḵə·lāh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">His young men,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּחוּרָ֥יו</span> <span class="translit">(ba·ḥū·rāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_970.htm">Strong's 970: </a> </span><span class="str2">Selected, a youth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and their maidens</span><br /><span class="heb">וּ֝בְתוּלֹתָ֗יו</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·ṯū·lō·ṯāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1330.htm">Strong's 1330: </a> </span><span class="str2">A virgin, sometimes, a bride</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were left without</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wedding songs.</span><br /><span class="heb">הוּלָּֽלוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(hūl·lā·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pual - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1984.htm">Strong's 1984: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shine</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/78-63.htm">Psalm 78:63 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/78-63.htm">Psalm 78:63 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/78-63.htm">Psalm 78:63 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/78-63.htm">Psalm 78:63 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/78-63.htm">Psalm 78:63 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/78-63.htm">Psalm 78:63 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/78-63.htm">Psalm 78:63 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/78-63.htm">Psalm 78:63 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/78-63.htm">Psalm 78:63 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/78-63.htm">Psalm 78:63 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/78-63.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 78:63 Fire devoured their young men (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/78-62.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 78:62"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:62" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/78-64.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 78:64"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:64" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>