Psalm 78:2, 11
They have given the dead bodies of Thy servants, O Lord, to be meat for the fowls of the air, the flesh of Thy saints to the beasts of the earth: according to the greatness of Thy arm take possession of the children of them that have been punished by death.
Haydock
Verse 2. Saints. The Assideans, who were the most esteemed for piety, 1 Mac. ii. 42. In the worst of times, there were always some pious Israelites, and the generality of them were less wicked than their enemies, who exercised a horrid barbarity in refusing them burial, after destroying vast numbers. 2 Par. xxxvi. 17. C. — This was done at least under Epiphanes. 1 Mac. vii. 16. H. — Persecutors have hung the bodies of martyrs on poles to be the food of birds, (W.) as the missionary priests were treated in England not long ago. Heb. is here rather inaccurate, (H.) “to the wild beast of the earth itself;” (Mont.) lechaitho arets, being put forth léith, earts, (Houbig.) as Prot. themselves translate. H.
Verse 11. Put. Chal. “consigned.” C. — Protect the successors of the martyrs. W.