Psalms 74

¹ Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast [us] off for ever? [why] doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

² Remember thy congregation, [which] thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, [which] thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.

³ Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; [even] all [that] the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.

⁴ Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns [for] signs.

⁵ [A man] was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees.

⁶ But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers.

⁷ They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled [by casting down] the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.

⁸ They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.

⁹ We see not our signs: [there is] no more any prophet: neither [is there] among us any that knoweth how long.

¹⁰ O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?

¹¹ Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck [it] out of thy bosom.

¹² For God [is] my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.

¹³ Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.

¹⁴ Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, [and] gavest him [to be] meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.

¹⁵ Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers.

¹⁶ The day [is] thine, the night also [is] thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.

¹⁷ Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.

¹⁸ Remember this, [that] the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and [that] the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.

¹⁹ O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude [of the wicked]: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.

²⁰ Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.

²¹ O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.

²² Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.

²³ Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.

Overview of Psalm 74

Psalm 74 is a communal lament attributed to Asaph, expressing deep sorrow over the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. The psalmist pleads with God to remember His people and restore their fortunes, highlighting themes of divine justice, national identity, and hope for redemption.

Structure of the Psalm

The chapter can be divided into several key sections:

1. Addressing God’s Silence (Verses 1-3)
   • The psalmist begins by questioning God’s apparent abandonment of His people.
   • There is a plea for God to remember His covenant and the suffering of His people.
2. Description of Destruction (Verses 4-8)
   • The psalmist describes the mocking of enemies and the destruction of sacred places.
   • Imagery of chaos and ruin emphasizes the severity of the situation.
3. God’s Mighty Acts (Verses 9-17)
   • The psalmist reflects on past acts of God, recalling His power in creation and history.
   • These memories serve as a reminder of God’s sovereignty and ability to intervene.
4. Call for Action (Verses 18-23)
   • The psalmist implores God to act against the enemies who defame His name.
   • There is a sense of urgency and desperation in the call for divine intervention.

Thematic Analysis

Divine Abandonment

The opening verses express a profound sense of abandonment. The psalmist feels forsaken by God, which raises questions about divine presence in times of suffering. This theme resonates with the experience of many believers during crises.

National Identity and Memory

The lament reflects a collective memory of Israel’s identity tied to the temple and God’s presence among them. The destruction of the temple symbolizes not only physical loss but also a rupture in their relationship with God.

Divine Justice

The psalmist’s plea for justice against the oppressors highlights the belief in a just God who defends His people. This theme emphasizes the expectation that God will ultimately act to restore order and righteousness.

Hope and Restoration

Despite the despair expressed, there is an underlying hope for restoration. The recollection of God’s past deeds serves to remind the community of His faithfulness and the possibility of renewal.

Literary Devices

Imagery

The use of vivid imagery, particularly in describing the temple’s destruction and the chaos that ensued, serves to evoke strong emotional responses from the reader. This imagery helps to convey the depth of the lament.

Repetition

Repetition of phrases related to God’s power and the enemies’ taunts reinforces the urgency of the psalmist’s plea and the gravity of the situation.

Questions

The rhetorical questions posed throughout the psalm emphasize the anguish felt by the community and invite readers to reflect on their own experiences of abandonment and longing for divine intervention.

Conclusion

Psalm 74 encapsulates the struggle of a community grappling with loss and seeking God’s presence. It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of lament in faith, the need for divine justice, and the enduring hope for restoration amidst despair.