Psalms 74
Psalms 74 is part of “Book III: The Leviticus Book” (73–89) in the outline of Psalms.
Psalms 74 summary
This psalm does so particularly describe the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, by Nebuchadnezzar and the army of the Chaldeans, and can so ill be applied to any other event we meet with in the Jewish history, that interpreters incline to think that either it was penned by David, or Asaph in David's time, with a prophetical reference to that sad event (which yet is not so probable), or that it was penned by another Asaph, who lived at the time of the captivity, or by Jeremiah (for it is of a piece with his Lamentations,) or some other prophet, and, after the return out of captivity, was delivered to the sons of Asaph, who were called…
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This psalm does so particularly describe the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, by Nebuchadnezzar and the army of the Chaldeans, and can so ill be applied to any other event we meet with in the Jewish history, that interpreters incline to think that either it was penned by David, or Asaph in David's time, with a prophetical reference to that sad event (which yet is not so probable), or that it was penned by another Asaph, who lived at the time of the captivity, or by Jeremiah (for it is of a piece with his Lamentations,) or some other prophet, and, after the return out of captivity, was delivered to the sons of Asaph, who were called by his name, for the public service of the church. That was the most eminent family of the singers in Ezra's time. See Ezr 2:41; Ezr 3:10; Neh 11:17, Neh 11:22; Neh 12:35, Neh 12:46. The deplorable case of the people of God at that time is here spread before the Lord, and left with him. The prophet, in the name of the church I. Puts in complaining pleas of the miseries they suffered, for the quickening of their desires in prayer (Psa 74:1-11). II. He puts in comfortable pleas for the encouraging of their faith in prayer (Psa 74:12-17). III. He concludes with divers petitions to God for deliverances (Psa 74:18-23). In singing it we must be affected with the former desolations of the church, for we are members of the same body, and may apply it to any present distresses or desolations of any part of the Christian church. Maschil of Asaph.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Psalms 74 (ASV)
American Standard Version (public domain)
Arise, O God, Defend Your Cause
1Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast [us] off for ever? Why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture? 2Remember thy congregation, which thou hast gotten of old, Which thou hast redeemed to be the tribe of thine inheritance; [And] mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt. 3Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual ruins, All the evil that the enemy hath done in the sanctuary. 4Thine adversaries have roared in the midst of thine assembly; They have set up their ensigns for signs. 5They seemed as men that lifted up Axes upon a thicket of trees. 6And now all the carved work thereof They break down with hatchet and hammers. 7They have set thy sanctuary on fire; They have profaned the dwelling-place of thy name [by casting it] to the ground. 8They said in their heart, Let us make havoc of them altogether: They have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land. 9We see not our signs: There is no more any prophet; Neither is there among us any that knoweth how long. 10How long, O God, shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever? 11Why drawest thou back thy hand, even thy right hand? [Pluck it] out of thy bosom [and] consume [them]. 12Yet God is my King of old, Working salvation in the midst of the earth. 13Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: Thou brakest the heads of the sea-monsters in the waters. 14Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces; Thou gavest him to be food to the people inhabiting the wilderness. 15Thou didst cleave fountain and flood: Thou driedst up mighty rivers. 16The day is thine, the night also is thine: Thou hast prepared the light and the sun. 17Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: Thou hast made summer and winter. 18Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O Jehovah, And that a foolish people hath blasphemed thy name. 19Oh deliver not the soul of thy turtle-dove unto the wild beast: Forget not the life of thy poor for ever. 20Have respect unto the covenant; For the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of violence. 21Oh let not the oppressed return ashamed: Let the poor and needy praise thy name. 22Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: Remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee all the day. 23Forget not the voice of thine adversaries: The tumult of those that rise up against thee ascendeth continually.