Old Testament
Psalms 78:61
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
and delivered his strength into captivity and his glory into the enemy's hand.
Compare translations
And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand.
What Psalms 78:61 means
Plain-English insight for readers
This verse reflects a moment of deep sorrow in Israel's history when God allowed His strength and glory to be taken away. It signifies a time when the Israelites faced defeat and humiliation, particularly during their conflicts with enemies. The 'strength' refers to God's power and protection, while 'glory' represents His presence and favor. This loss was a consequence of the people's disobedience and lack of faith. The verse serves as a reminder that turning away from God can lead to dire consequences, including the loss of His support and blessings. It highlights the importance of remaining faithful and obedient to God to avoid such calamities. The historical context emphasizes that even a chosen people can face judgment if they stray from their covenant with God. This moment in the psalm serves as a warning and a call to repentance, urging the faithful to remember their dependence on God for strength and victory.
How to apply Psalms 78:61 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on our relationship with God. It reminds us that straying from His ways can lead to loss and hardship. We should strive to remain faithful and obedient, seeking His strength and guidance in our lives to avoid the pitfalls of disobedience.
Curated for this public verse page. Psalms Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

Illustrated scene from Joseph, Jacob's son's story: Joseph Is Born (Genesis 30:22–24)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Joseph, Jacob's son

Photo: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samantha R. Ciaramitaro, via DVIDS and Wikimedia Commons. License: Public domain in the United States — U.S. federal-government work. Source. Location: Great Ziggurat, Ur Archaeological City (Tell el-Mukayyar), Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Ur
The city Abram's family left to travel toward Canaan.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Psalms 78:61
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Psalms 78:61
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Psalms
- Author
- David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and others
- Written
- Around 1000-500 BC
- Genre
- Poetry and worship
- Original Audience
- Worshipers of Israel
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Psalms 78:61 mean?
Psalms 78:61 describes a time when God allowed His strength and glory to be taken away from Israel, symbolizing their defeat and humiliation due to disobedience. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God.
What is the significance of 'strength' in Psalms 78:61?
In Psalms 78:61, 'strength' refers to God's power and protection over Israel. The loss of this strength indicates a serious consequence of the people's disobedience and lack of faith.
What does 'glory' represent in Psalms 78:61?
In this verse, 'glory' represents God's presence and favor towards His people. Its loss signifies a withdrawal of divine support, highlighting the seriousness of Israel's actions.
How can we apply Psalms 78:61 to our lives?
Psalms 78:61 encourages us to examine our relationship with God, reminding us that straying from His ways can lead to loss and hardship. It emphasizes the need for faithfulness and obedience to avoid negative consequences.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.