O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?
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.
Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs.
A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees.
But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers.
They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.
They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.
We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.
O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?
Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom.
For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.
Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers.
The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.
Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O Lord, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.
O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.
Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.
Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.
Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.
Psalms 74 is a powerful lament, a heartfelt cry for God's intervention in a time of immense national crisis. Likely written in response to the devastating destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC, this psalm, attributed to Asaph, expresses the pain, confusion, and desperate hope of a people feeling abandoned by God. While Asaph was a contemporary of King David (1 Chronicles 6:39), the psalm's content points to a later author writing in Asaph's style, perhaps a descendant or someone honoring his legacy. This "maskil," a reflective and somber song, uses skillful language to explore the depths of despair and the enduring power of faith.
A Sense of Abandonment (Psalms 74:1-11)
The psalm opens with a raw expression of grief. The psalmist questions why God has rejected His people and allowed the destruction of His sanctuary. "O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?" (Psalms 74:1). Mount Zion, the heart of Jerusalem and the location of the Temple, lies in ruins, a testament to the enemy's destructive power.
The invaders are depicted as ruthless destroyers, tearing down the Temple like men felling trees (Psalms 74:5-6). They have defiled God's dwelling place, leaving it in ashes (Psalms 74:7). Adding to the despair is the absence of prophetic voices. "We do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet, and there is no one among us who knows how long" (Psalms 74:9). The silence from God intensifies the feeling of abandonment, leaving the people without guidance or hope. The psalmist cries out, wondering how long this will last, feeling as if the Lord is completely abandoning Israel (Psalms 74:10-11). This is more than just an attack on a nation; it's a perceived attack on God Himself, as the enemy mocks not just the people, but the very name of God (Psalms 74:10).
Remembering God's Sovereignty (Psalms 74:12-17)
However, amidst the lament, a shift occurs. The psalmist remembers who God is: the eternal King, the all-powerful Creator. Despite the present darkness, the psalmist recalls God's mighty acts in the past, reaffirming His sovereignty and power. "Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth" (Psalms 74:12).
The psalmist recounts God's power displayed in creation, reminding himself and the people of God's ultimate control. He divided the sea (a reference to the Exodus, Psalms 74:13), crushed the heads of sea monsters, and provided water in the desert (Psalms 74:13-15). He established the seasons and created day and night (Psalms 74:16-17). By recalling these acts of power, the psalmist seeks to reassure himself that God is still in control and has not been defeated. This act of remembering God's faithfulness is a powerful tool for overcoming despair. Tony Evans notes that God has repeatedly demonstrated his sovereign strength over creation.
A Plea for Action (Psalms 74:18-23)
This renewed confidence in God's power leads to a fervent prayer for intervention. The psalmist urges God to remember the insults of the enemy and to defend His own name. "Remember this, O LORD, how the enemy mocks, and a foolish people reviles your name" (Psalms 74:18).
The psalmist appeals to God's covenant with Israel, reminding Him of His promises to His chosen people (Psalms 74:20). He asks God to not forget the cries of the afflicted and to rise up in defense of His cause. "Do not forget the life of your poor forever. Arise, O God, defend your cause; remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day!" (Psalms 74:19, 22). The plea is not just for the sake of the people, but for the vindication and glorification of God's name. As Tony Evans points out, God's name is at stake, and the psalmist appeals for God to champion His cause.
Lessons for Today
Psalms 74 offers valuable lessons for believers facing difficult times. It reminds us that:
- It's okay to lament: Expressing our pain and sorrow to God is a valid and important part of the grieving process.
- Remember God's faithfulness: Recalling God's past acts of deliverance and provision can strengthen our faith in the present.
- God is still in control: Even when circumstances seem overwhelming, God remains sovereign over all things.
- Pray for God's glory: Our prayers should be motivated by a desire to see God vindicated and glorified.
When we face trials and tribulations, we can follow Asaph's example by pouring out our hearts to God, remembering His faithfulness, and trusting in His ultimate control. We, too, can pray for intervention, motivated by a desire to see God's name lifted high in praise.
O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?
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.
Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs.
A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees.
But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers.
They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.
They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.
We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.
O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?
Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom.
For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.
Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers.
The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.
Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O Lord, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.
O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.
Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.
Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.
Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.
Psalms 74 is a powerful lament, a heartfelt cry for God's intervention in a time of immense national crisis. Likely written in response to the devastating destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC, this psalm, attributed to Asaph, expresses the pain, confusion, and desperate hope of a people feeling abandoned by God. While Asaph was a contemporary of King David (1 Chronicles 6:39), the psalm's content points to a later author writing in Asaph's style, perhaps a descendant or someone honoring his legacy. This "maskil," a reflective and somber song, uses skillful language to explore the depths of despair and the enduring power of faith.
A Sense of Abandonment (Psalms 74:1-11)
The psalm opens with a raw expression of grief. The psalmist questions why God has rejected His people and allowed the destruction of His sanctuary. "O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?" (Psalms 74:1). Mount Zion, the heart of Jerusalem and the location of the Temple, lies in ruins, a testament to the enemy's destructive power.
The invaders are depicted as ruthless destroyers, tearing down the Temple like men felling trees (Psalms 74:5-6). They have defiled God's dwelling place, leaving it in ashes (Psalms 74:7). Adding to the despair is the absence of prophetic voices. "We do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet, and there is no one among us who knows how long" (Psalms 74:9). The silence from God intensifies the feeling of abandonment, leaving the people without guidance or hope. The psalmist cries out, wondering how long this will last, feeling as if the Lord is completely abandoning Israel (Psalms 74:10-11). This is more than just an attack on a nation; it's a perceived attack on God Himself, as the enemy mocks not just the people, but the very name of God (Psalms 74:10).
Remembering God's Sovereignty (Psalms 74:12-17)
However, amidst the lament, a shift occurs. The psalmist remembers who God is: the eternal King, the all-powerful Creator. Despite the present darkness, the psalmist recalls God's mighty acts in the past, reaffirming His sovereignty and power. "Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth" (Psalms 74:12).
The psalmist recounts God's power displayed in creation, reminding himself and the people of God's ultimate control. He divided the sea (a reference to the Exodus, Psalms 74:13), crushed the heads of sea monsters, and provided water in the desert (Psalms 74:13-15). He established the seasons and created day and night (Psalms 74:16-17). By recalling these acts of power, the psalmist seeks to reassure himself that God is still in control and has not been defeated. This act of remembering God's faithfulness is a powerful tool for overcoming despair. Tony Evans notes that God has repeatedly demonstrated his sovereign strength over creation.
A Plea for Action (Psalms 74:18-23)
This renewed confidence in God's power leads to a fervent prayer for intervention. The psalmist urges God to remember the insults of the enemy and to defend His own name. "Remember this, O LORD, how the enemy mocks, and a foolish people reviles your name" (Psalms 74:18).
The psalmist appeals to God's covenant with Israel, reminding Him of His promises to His chosen people (Psalms 74:20). He asks God to not forget the cries of the afflicted and to rise up in defense of His cause. "Do not forget the life of your poor forever. Arise, O God, defend your cause; remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day!" (Psalms 74:19, 22). The plea is not just for the sake of the people, but for the vindication and glorification of God's name. As Tony Evans points out, God's name is at stake, and the psalmist appeals for God to champion His cause.
Lessons for Today
Psalms 74 offers valuable lessons for believers facing difficult times. It reminds us that:
- It's okay to lament: Expressing our pain and sorrow to God is a valid and important part of the grieving process.
- Remember God's faithfulness: Recalling God's past acts of deliverance and provision can strengthen our faith in the present.
- God is still in control: Even when circumstances seem overwhelming, God remains sovereign over all things.
- Pray for God's glory: Our prayers should be motivated by a desire to see God vindicated and glorified.
When we face trials and tribulations, we can follow Asaph's example by pouring out our hearts to God, remembering His faithfulness, and trusting in His ultimate control. We, too, can pray for intervention, motivated by a desire to see God's name lifted high in praise.