Psalm 74-- Translation and Commentary
Psalm 74— NASB
O God, why have You rejected us forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?
2 Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, Which You have redeemed to be the tribe of Your inheritance; And this Mount Zion, where You have dwelt.
3 Turn Your footsteps toward the perpetual ruins; The enemy has damaged everything within the sanctuary.
4 Your adversaries have roared in the midst of Your meeting place; They have set up their own standards for signs.
5 It seems as if one had lifted up His axe in a forest of trees.
6 And now all its carved work They smash with hatchet and hammers.
7 They have burned Your sanctuary to the ground; They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name.
8 They said in their heart, "Let us completely subdue them." They have burned all the meeting places of God in the land.
9 We do not see our signs; There is no longer any prophet, Nor is there any among us who knows how long.
10 How long, O God, will the adversary revile, And the enemy spurn Your name forever?
11 Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? From within Your bosom, destroy them!
12 Yet God is my king from of old, Who works deeds of deliverance in the midst of the earth.
13 You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters.
14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.
15 You broke open springs and torrents; You dried up ever-flowing streams.
16 Yours is the day, Yours also is the night; You have prepared the light and the sun.
17 You have established all the boundaries of the earth; You have made summer and winter.
18 Remember this, O LORD, that the enemy has reviled, And a foolish people has spurned Your name.
19 Do not deliver the soul of Your turtledove to the wild beast; Do not forget the life of Your afflicted forever.
20 Consider the covenant; For the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.
21 Let not the oppressed return dishonored; Let the afflicted and needy praise Your name.
22 Arise, O God, and plead Your own cause; Remember how the foolish man reproaches You all day long.
23 Do not forget the voice of Your adversaries, The uproar of those who rise against You which ascends continually.
Psalm 74— NLT
O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why is your anger so intense against the sheep of your own pasture?
2 Remember that we are the people you chose in ancient times, the tribe you redeemed as your own special possession! And remember Jerusalem, your home here on earth.
3 Walk through the awful ruins of the city; see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary.
4 There your enemies shouted their victorious battle cries; there they set up their battle standards.
5 They chopped down the entrance like woodcutters in a forest.
6 With axes and picks, they smashed the carved paneling.
7 They set the sanctuary on fire, burning it to the ground. They utterly defiled the place that bears your holy name.
8 Then they thought, "Let's destroy everything!" So they burned down all the places where God was worshiped.
9 We see no miraculous signs as evidence that you will save us. All the prophets are gone; no one can tell us when it will end.
10 How long, O God, will you allow our enemies to mock you? Will you let them dishonor your name forever?
11 Why do you hold back your strong right hand? Unleash your powerful fist and deliver a deathblow.
12 You, O God, are my king from ages past, bringing salvation to the earth.
13 You split the sea by your strength and smashed the sea monster's heads.
14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan and let the desert animals eat him.
15 You caused the springs and streams to gush forth, and you dried up rivers that never run dry.
16 Both day and night belong to you; you made the starlight and the sun.
17 You set the boundaries of the earth, and you make both summer and winter.
18 See how these enemies scoff at you, LORD. A foolish nation has dishonored your name.
19 Don't let these wild beasts destroy your doves. Don't forget your afflicted people forever.
20 Remember your covenant promises, for the land is full of darkness and violence!
21 Don't let the downtrodden be constantly disgraced! Instead, let these poor and needy ones give praise to your name.
22 Arise, O God, and defend your cause. Remember how these fools insult you all day long.
23 Don't overlook these things your enemies have said. Their uproar of rebellion grows ever louder
Psalm 74—Commentary
The writer of the psalm was of the school of Asaph, who was a famous singer and musician in the day of David. The writer lived through the destruction of Jerusalem and of Yahweh’s temple in 586 BC. This psalmist here is having a frank discussion with God about this event: discussing his shock, remembering God’s accomplishments and insisting that God do something.
Section 1: The destruction of Yahweh’s city (vv. 1-11).
The psalmist is shocked at seeing the destruction of Jerusalem and sits on the ruins of the temple. His greatest shock is that his God, Yahweh, did nothing at the sight of this blasphemy. Yahweh’s temple was shamelessly destroyed and his city ruined. The psalmist can’t believe that Yahweh saw such destruction, and so he is calling God to look at it—"Walk through the destruction! See the ruins!" The destruction was devastating, and it only points out the evil of the enemies who did this. They purposely destroyed everything that was used to glorify Yahweh, to honor him (v.6-8), and they set their own symbols of glory in place of it (v. 4). These enemies were unworthy to even touch the sanctuary, and not only did they touch it, but they destroyed it! And Yahweh stood by and did nothing—this is the most incredible part of the whole thing (v. 11).
Section 2: Yahweh the Ancient Warrior (vv. 12-17).
It is at this point, that the psalmist remembers the most ancient story of all about Yahweh. In times past, the terrible dragon Leviathan, and the monster Yom, (translated "the Sea") rose up to destroy the whole earth. They took control of the earth, Yahweh’s own possession, and covered the earth with water (Genesis 1:2). But Yahweh did not sit aside and allow his enemies to take over his possession—he took decisive action. He split the waters asunder, and he crushed the heads of the dragon (vv. 13-15). And he established new boundaries and borders to control these enemies—he made day and night and the sun to rule the light (v.16). And he caused land to divide the waters and seasons to control the devastation of the waters (v. 17). This is the whole purpose of creation—to control the enemies of Yahweh who seek to bring chaos and destruction on the earth. Genesis 1 actually explores the same themes, but keeps them subdued underneath the descriptions of Yahweh’s power of creation. Yahweh is the powerful warrior who uses creation to defeat his enemies!
Section 3: Cry for Deliverance (vv. 18-23).
Reflecting on this ancient story, the psalmist comes to his conclusion: prayer. Because Yahweh is the divine warrior who destroys his enemies, then the psalmist knows he has the right to call Yahweh to destroy his enemies at this time. He calls Yahweh’s attention to the fact that the enemies of Jerusalem were mocking Yahweh and tearing down his reputation. He asks Yahweh to deliver the people of God, who are now oppressed (vv. 19, 21). And he calls on Yahweh to purify his reputation, and to cause his enemies to be cast down (vv. 18, 22-23).
O God, why have You rejected us forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?
2 Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, Which You have redeemed to be the tribe of Your inheritance; And this Mount Zion, where You have dwelt.
3 Turn Your footsteps toward the perpetual ruins; The enemy has damaged everything within the sanctuary.
4 Your adversaries have roared in the midst of Your meeting place; They have set up their own standards for signs.
5 It seems as if one had lifted up His axe in a forest of trees.
6 And now all its carved work They smash with hatchet and hammers.
7 They have burned Your sanctuary to the ground; They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name.
8 They said in their heart, "Let us completely subdue them." They have burned all the meeting places of God in the land.
9 We do not see our signs; There is no longer any prophet, Nor is there any among us who knows how long.
10 How long, O God, will the adversary revile, And the enemy spurn Your name forever?
11 Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? From within Your bosom, destroy them!
12 Yet God is my king from of old, Who works deeds of deliverance in the midst of the earth.
13 You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters.
14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.
15 You broke open springs and torrents; You dried up ever-flowing streams.
16 Yours is the day, Yours also is the night; You have prepared the light and the sun.
17 You have established all the boundaries of the earth; You have made summer and winter.
18 Remember this, O LORD, that the enemy has reviled, And a foolish people has spurned Your name.
19 Do not deliver the soul of Your turtledove to the wild beast; Do not forget the life of Your afflicted forever.
20 Consider the covenant; For the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.
21 Let not the oppressed return dishonored; Let the afflicted and needy praise Your name.
22 Arise, O God, and plead Your own cause; Remember how the foolish man reproaches You all day long.
23 Do not forget the voice of Your adversaries, The uproar of those who rise against You which ascends continually.
Psalm 74— NLT
O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why is your anger so intense against the sheep of your own pasture?
2 Remember that we are the people you chose in ancient times, the tribe you redeemed as your own special possession! And remember Jerusalem, your home here on earth.
3 Walk through the awful ruins of the city; see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary.
4 There your enemies shouted their victorious battle cries; there they set up their battle standards.
5 They chopped down the entrance like woodcutters in a forest.
6 With axes and picks, they smashed the carved paneling.
7 They set the sanctuary on fire, burning it to the ground. They utterly defiled the place that bears your holy name.
8 Then they thought, "Let's destroy everything!" So they burned down all the places where God was worshiped.
9 We see no miraculous signs as evidence that you will save us. All the prophets are gone; no one can tell us when it will end.
10 How long, O God, will you allow our enemies to mock you? Will you let them dishonor your name forever?
11 Why do you hold back your strong right hand? Unleash your powerful fist and deliver a deathblow.
12 You, O God, are my king from ages past, bringing salvation to the earth.
13 You split the sea by your strength and smashed the sea monster's heads.
14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan and let the desert animals eat him.
15 You caused the springs and streams to gush forth, and you dried up rivers that never run dry.
16 Both day and night belong to you; you made the starlight and the sun.
17 You set the boundaries of the earth, and you make both summer and winter.
18 See how these enemies scoff at you, LORD. A foolish nation has dishonored your name.
19 Don't let these wild beasts destroy your doves. Don't forget your afflicted people forever.
20 Remember your covenant promises, for the land is full of darkness and violence!
21 Don't let the downtrodden be constantly disgraced! Instead, let these poor and needy ones give praise to your name.
22 Arise, O God, and defend your cause. Remember how these fools insult you all day long.
23 Don't overlook these things your enemies have said. Their uproar of rebellion grows ever louder
Psalm 74—Commentary
The writer of the psalm was of the school of Asaph, who was a famous singer and musician in the day of David. The writer lived through the destruction of Jerusalem and of Yahweh’s temple in 586 BC. This psalmist here is having a frank discussion with God about this event: discussing his shock, remembering God’s accomplishments and insisting that God do something.
Section 1: The destruction of Yahweh’s city (vv. 1-11).
The psalmist is shocked at seeing the destruction of Jerusalem and sits on the ruins of the temple. His greatest shock is that his God, Yahweh, did nothing at the sight of this blasphemy. Yahweh’s temple was shamelessly destroyed and his city ruined. The psalmist can’t believe that Yahweh saw such destruction, and so he is calling God to look at it—"Walk through the destruction! See the ruins!" The destruction was devastating, and it only points out the evil of the enemies who did this. They purposely destroyed everything that was used to glorify Yahweh, to honor him (v.6-8), and they set their own symbols of glory in place of it (v. 4). These enemies were unworthy to even touch the sanctuary, and not only did they touch it, but they destroyed it! And Yahweh stood by and did nothing—this is the most incredible part of the whole thing (v. 11).
Section 2: Yahweh the Ancient Warrior (vv. 12-17).
It is at this point, that the psalmist remembers the most ancient story of all about Yahweh. In times past, the terrible dragon Leviathan, and the monster Yom, (translated "the Sea") rose up to destroy the whole earth. They took control of the earth, Yahweh’s own possession, and covered the earth with water (Genesis 1:2). But Yahweh did not sit aside and allow his enemies to take over his possession—he took decisive action. He split the waters asunder, and he crushed the heads of the dragon (vv. 13-15). And he established new boundaries and borders to control these enemies—he made day and night and the sun to rule the light (v.16). And he caused land to divide the waters and seasons to control the devastation of the waters (v. 17). This is the whole purpose of creation—to control the enemies of Yahweh who seek to bring chaos and destruction on the earth. Genesis 1 actually explores the same themes, but keeps them subdued underneath the descriptions of Yahweh’s power of creation. Yahweh is the powerful warrior who uses creation to defeat his enemies!
Section 3: Cry for Deliverance (vv. 18-23).
Reflecting on this ancient story, the psalmist comes to his conclusion: prayer. Because Yahweh is the divine warrior who destroys his enemies, then the psalmist knows he has the right to call Yahweh to destroy his enemies at this time. He calls Yahweh’s attention to the fact that the enemies of Jerusalem were mocking Yahweh and tearing down his reputation. He asks Yahweh to deliver the people of God, who are now oppressed (vv. 19, 21). And he calls on Yahweh to purify his reputation, and to cause his enemies to be cast down (vv. 18, 22-23).
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