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 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Arise, O God, Defend Your Cause
1A Psalme to give instruction, committed to Asaph. O God, why hast thou put vs away for euer? why is thy wrath kindled against the sheepe of thy pasture? 2Thinke vpon thy Congregation, which thou hast possessed of olde, and on the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed, and on this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt. 3Lift vp thy strokes, that thou mayest for euer destroy euery enemie that doeth euill to the Sanctuarie. 4Thine aduersaries roare in the middes of thy Congregation, and set vp their banners for signes. 5He that lifted the axes vpon the thicke trees, was renowmed, as one, that brought a thing to perfection: 6But nowe they breake downe the carued worke thereof with axes and hammers. 7They haue cast thy Sanctuarie into the fire, and rased it to the grounde, and haue defiled the dwelling place of thy Name. 8They saide in their hearts, Let vs destroy them altogether: they haue burnt all the Synagogues of God in the land. 9We see not our signes: there is not one Prophet more, nor any with vs that knoweth howe long. 10O God, howe long shall the aduersarie reproche thee? shall the enemie blaspheme thy Name for euer? 11Why withdrawest thou thine hand, euen thy right hand? drawe it out of thy bosome, and consume them. 12Euen God is my King of olde, working saluation in the middes of the earth. 13Thou didest deuide the sea by thy power: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters. 14Thou brakest the head of Liuiathan in pieces, and gauest him to be meate for the people in wildernesse. 15Thou brakest vp the fountaine and riuer: thou dryedst vp mightie riuers. 16The day is thine, and the night is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sunne. 17Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter. 18Remember this, that the enemie hath reproched the Lord, and the foolish people hath blasphemed thy Name. 19Giue not the soule of thy turtle doue vnto the beast, and forget not the Congregation of thy poore for euer. 20Consider thy couenant: for the darke places of the earth are full of the habitations of the cruell. 21Oh let not the oppressed returne ashamed, but let the poore and needie prayse thy Name. 22Arise, O God: mainteine thine owne cause: remember thy dayly reproche by the foolish man. 23Forget not the voyce of thine enemies: for the tumult of them, that rise against thee, ascendeth continually.