Read Psalms chapter 74 online with LogosAI Bible study tools, highlights, and cross references.
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 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).
1 A contemplation by Asaph. God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?
2 Remember your congregation, which you purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your inheritance: Mount Zion, in which you have lived.
3 Lift up your feet to the perpetual ruins, all the evil that the enemy has done in the sanctuary.
4 Your adversaries have roared in the middle of your assembly. They have set up their standards as signs.
5 They behaved like men wielding axes, cutting through a thicket of trees.
6 Now they break all its carved work down with hatchet and hammers.
7 They have burned your sanctuary to the ground. They have profaned the dwelling place of your Name.
8 They said in their heart, “We will crush them completely.” They have burned up all the places in the land where God was worshiped.
9 We see no miraculous signs. There is no longer any prophet, neither is there among us anyone who knows how long.
10 How long, God, shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme your name forever?
11 Why do you draw back your hand, even your right hand? Take it from your chest and consume them!
12 Yet God is my King of old, working salvation throughout the earth.
13 You divided the sea by your strength. You broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters.
14 You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces. You gave him as food to people and desert creatures.
15 You opened up spring and stream. You dried up mighty rivers.
16 The day is yours, the night is also yours. You have prepared the light and the sun.
17 You have set all the boundaries of the earth. You have made summer and winter.
18 Remember this, that the enemy has mocked you, LORD. Foolish people have blasphemed your name.
19 Don’t deliver the soul of your dove to wild beasts. Don’t forget the life of your poor forever.
20 Honor your covenant, for haunts of violence fill the dark places of the earth.
21 Don’t let the oppressed return ashamed. Let the poor and needy praise your name.
22 Arise, God! Plead your own cause. Remember how the foolish man mocks you all day.
23 Don’t forget the voice of your adversaries. The tumult of those who rise up against you ascends continually.