“Where is their God?”
The full verse · Psalm 79:10 · KJV
Wherefore should the , is their ? let him be among the in our by the of the of thy which is .
Asked by
Asked to
God directly, though the question echoes what the surrounding nations are already mockingly asking about Israel’s deity.
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionAsaph appeals to God’s concern for His own reputation by framing the nations’ taunt as a question, creating urgency for divine intervention to silence blasphemy and restore Israel’s testimony to God’s power and faithfulness.
The Response
What Scripture recordsGod does not verbally respond within this psalm, but the psalmist’s appeal assumes that God will act to defend His own honor by vindicating His people and demonstrating His presence and power before the watching nations.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyAsaph’s question carries the sting of enemy mockery that he redirects toward heaven as intercession. The interrogative ‘Why should the nations say’ (Hebrew lammah, meaning ‘for what purpose’ or ‘to what end’) doesn’t ask for information but protests the intolerable situation where God’s enemies blaspheme His name without consequence. By phrasing this as a question rather than simply reporting the taunt, Asaph creates rhetorical urgency and appeals to God’s jealousy for His own glory. The structure assumes that there is no good reason why the nations should be allowed to continue their mockery, thereby pressing God to act. The psalmist doesn’t primarily ask God to relieve Israel’s suffering but to defend His own reputation, knowing that God’s honor and Israel’s vindication are inseparably linked. This reflects deep theological wisdom: the most powerful intercession appeals not merely to covenant promises but to God’s commitment to make His name great among all peoples.
When your suffering makes others question God’s goodness or power, you’re in sacred company. Asaph didn’t pretend the mockery didn’t hurt or that God’s reputation wasn’t at stake. He brought both the pain and the theological crisis directly to God in prayer. You can do the same when illness lingers, prayers seem unanswered, or unbelievers use your struggles as evidence against faith. Like Asaph, appeal to God’s concern for His own name and glory, trusting that He cares more about His reputation than you do (Ezekiel 36:22-23). Your vindication may not come on your preferred timeline, but God’s honor is secure, and He will ultimately silence every accusing voice (Philippians 2:10-11). The nations asked where God was, and the cross answered with a demonstration of suffering love that transformed apparent defeat into eternal victory.
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources