Psalms 74

Ps 74:1-23.

If the historical allusions of

Ps 74:6-8,

&c., 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

2Ch 35:15;

Ezr 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.

1. cast . . . off--with abhorrence (compare

Ps 43:2; 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

De 29:20,

sheep . . . pasture--(Compare

Ps 80:1; 95:7).

2. The terms to denote God's relation to His people increase in force:

"congregation"--"purchased"--"redeemed"--"Zion," His dwelling.

3. Lift . . . feet--

(Ge 29:1)

--that is, Come (to behold) the desolations

(Ps 73:19).

4. roar--with bestial fury.

congregations--literally, "worshipping assemblies."

ensigns--literally, "signs"--substituted their idolatrous objects, or

tokens of authority, for those articles of the temple which denoted

God's presence.

5, 6. Though some terms and clauses here are very obscure, the

general sense is that the spoilers destroyed the beauties of the temple

with the violence of woodmen.

was famous--literally, "was known."

6. carved work--

(1Ki 6:29).

thereof--that is, of the temple, in the writer's mind, though not

expressed till

Ps 74:7,

in which its utter destruction by fire is mentioned

(2Ki 25:9;

Isa 64:11).

7. defiled--or, "profaned," as in

Ps 89:39.

8. together--at once, all alike.

synagogues--literally, "assemblies," for places of assembly, whether

such as schools of the prophets

(2Ki 4:23),

or "synagogues" in the usual sense, there is much doubt.

9. signs--of God's presence, as altar, ark, &c. (compare

Ps 74:4;

2Ch 36:18, 19;

Da 5:2).

no more any prophet--

(Isa 3:2;

Jer 40:1; 43:6).

how long--this is to last. Jeremiah's prophecy

(Jer 25:11),

if published, may not have been generally known or understood. To the

bulk of the people, during the captivity, the occasional and local

prophetical services of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel would not make an

exception to the clause, "there is no more any prophet."

10. (Compare

Ps 31:1).

how long . . . reproach?--us, as deserted of God.

blaspheme thy name--or, "perfections," as power, goodness, &c.

(Ps 29:2).

11. Why cease to help us? (Compare

Ps 3:7; 7:6; 60:5).

12. For--literally, "And," in an adversative sense.

13-15. Examples of the "salvation wrought" are cited.

divide the sea--that is, Red Sea.

brakest . . . waters--Pharaoh and his host (compare

Isa 51:9, 10;

Eze 29:3, 4).

14. heads of leviathan--The word is a collective, and so used for

many.

the people . . . wilderness--that is, wild beasts, as conies

(Pr 30:25, 26),

are called a people. Others take the passages literally, that the sea

monsters thrown out on dry land were food for the wandering Arabs.

15. cleave the fountain--that is, the rocks of Horeb and Kadesh; for

fountains.

driedst up--Jordan, and, perhaps, Arnon and Jabbok

(Nu 21:14).

16, 17. The fixed orders of nature and bounds of earth are of God.

18. (Compare

Ps 74:10;

De 32:6).

The contrast is striking--that such a God should be thus insulted!

19. multitude--literally, "beast," their flock or company of men

(Ps 68:10).

turtledove--that is, the meek and lonely Church.

congregation--literally, "the company," as above--thus the Church

is represented as the spoiled and defeated remnant of an army, exposed

to violence.

20. And the prevalence of injustice in heathen lands is a reason for

invoking God's regard to His promise (compare

Nu 14:21;

Ps 7:16; 18:48).

21. oppressed--broken

(Ps 9:9).

return--from seeking God.

ashamed--

(Ps 35:4).

22, 23. (Compare

Ps 3:7; 7:6).

God hears the wicked to their own ruin

(Ge 4:10; 18:20).