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Psalms 74:1
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A Plea for Relief from Oppressors

A Contemplation of Asaph.

1 O God, why have You cast us off forever?
Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?
2 Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old,
The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed—
This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.
3 Lift up Your feet to the perpetual desolations.
The enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary.
4 aYour enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place;
bThey set up their banners for signs. 
5 They seem like men who lift up
Axes among the thick trees.
6 And now they break down its carved work, all at once,
With axes and hammers.
7 They have set fire to Your sanctuary;
They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name to the ground.
8 aThey said in their hearts,
“Let us1 destroy them altogether.”
They have burned up all the meeting places of God in the land. 
9 We do not see our signs;
aThere is no longer any prophet;
Nor is there any among us who knows how long. 
10 O God, how long will the adversary1 reproach?
Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever? 
11 aWhy do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand?
Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them. 
12 For aGod is my King from of old,
Working salvation in the midst of the earth. 
13 aYou divided the sea by Your strength;
You broke the heads of the1 sea serpents in the waters. 
14 You broke the heads of1 Leviathan in pieces,
And gave him as food to the people inhabiting the wilderness. 
Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
<< Psalms 73:28   Psalms 74:2 >>


Psalms 74:1

If the historical allusions of Psalms 74:6-8, etc., 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 II Chronicles 35:15; Ezra 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. (Psa. 74:1-23)

cast . . . off—with abhorrence (compare Psalms 43:2; Psalms 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 Deuteronomy 29:20, by the word "smoke," suggests its continuance.

sheep . . . pasture—(Compare Psalms 80:1; Psalms 95:7).




Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Psalms 74:1:

Psalms 18:8
Psalms 79:5
Psalms 79:13
Psalms 83:1
Psalms 88:14
Psalms 95:7
Isaiah 64:9

 

<< Psalms 73:28   Psalms 74:2 >>

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