Psalms 74
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“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” — John 5:39
1O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?
PSALM 74
Psa 74:1-23. If the historical allusions of Psa 74:6-8, &c., be referred, as is probable, to the period of the captivity, the author was probably a descendant and namesake of Asaph, David's contemporary and singer (compare 2Ch 35:15; Ezr 2:41). He complains of God's desertion of His Church, and appeals for aid, encouraging himself by recounting some of God's mighty deeds, and urges his prayer on the ground of God's covenant relation to His people, and the wickedness of His and their common enemy.
1. cast ... off--with abhorrence (compare Psa 43:2; 44:9). There is no disavowal of guilt implied. The figure of fire to denote God's anger is often used; and here, and in De 29:20, by the word "smoke," suggests its continuance.
sheep ... pasture--(Compare Psa 80:1; 95:7).
2Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.
2. The terms to denote God's relation to His people increase in force: "congregation"--"purchased"--"redeemed"--"Zion," His dwelling.
3Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
3. Lift ... feet--(Ge 29:1)--that is, Come (to behold) the desolations (Psa 73:19).
4Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs.
4. roar--with bestial fury.
congregations--literally, "worshipping assemblies."
ensigns--literally, "signs"--substituted their idolatrous objects, or tokens of authority, for those articles of the temple which denoted God's presence.
5A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees.
5-6. Though some terms and clauses here are very obscure, the general sense is that the spoilers destroyed the beauties of the temple with the violence of woodmen.
was famous--literally, "was known."
6But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers.
7They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.
7. defiled--or, "profaned," as in Psa 89:39.
8They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.
8. together--at once, all alike.
synagogues--literally, "assemblies," for places of assembly, whether such as schools of the prophets (2Ki 4:23), or "synagogues" in the usual sense, there is much doubt.
9We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.
9. signs--of God's presence, as altar, ark, &c. (compare Psa 74:4; 2Ch 36:18, 19; Da 5:2).
no more any prophet--(Is 3:2; Jr 40:1; 43:6).
how long--this is to last. Jeremiah's prophecy (Jr 25:11), if published, may not have been generally known or understood. To the bulk of the people, during the captivity, the occasional and local prophetical services of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel would not make an exception to the clause, "there is no more any prophet."
10O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?
10. (Compare Psa 31:1).
how long ... reproach?--us, as deserted of God.
blaspheme thy name--or, "perfections," as power, goodness, &c. (Psa 29:2).
11Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom.
11. Why cease to help us? (Compare Psa 3:7; 7:6; 60:5).
12For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
12. For--literally, "And," in an adversative sense.
13Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.
13-15. Examples of the "salvation wrought" are cited.
divide the sea--that is, Red Sea.
brakest ... waters--Pharaoh and his host (compare Is 51:9, 10; Eze 29:3, 4).
14Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
15Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers.
16The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
16-17. The fixed orders of nature and bounds of earth are of God.
17Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.
18Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.
18. (Compare Psa 74:10; De 32:6). The contrast is striking--that such a God should be thus insulted!
19O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.
19. multitude--literally, "beast," their flock or company of men (Psa 68:10).
turtledove--that is, the meek and lonely Church.
congregation--literally, "the company," as above--thus the Church is represented as the spoiled and defeated remnant of an army, exposed to violence.
20Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
20. And the prevalence of injustice in heathen lands is a reason for invoking God's regard to His promise (compare Nu 14:21; Psa 7:16; 18:48).
21O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.
21. oppressed--broken (Psa 9:9).
return--from seeking God.
ashamed--(Psa 35:4).
22Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.
22-23. (Compare Psa 3:7; 7:6). God hears the wicked to their own ruin (Ge 4:10; 18:20).
23Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.
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