This noun for death appears only in the phrase 'children of death' or 'sons of death' (Psalm 79:11, 102:20). The expression designates those appointed to die, condemned prisoners, those under sentence of death—specifically Israelite captives awaiting execution. Both psalms are laments pleading for God to preserve 'the children of death,' those whose lives hang by a thread. The construct phrase 'sons/children of death' is a Hebrew idiom meaning 'those destined for death' or 'death-row prisoners.' The psalmist asks God to spare those who humanly speaking have no hope, those already counted as dead.