Bible Commentaries
Psalms 74

Verse 1

Title. Maschil = Instruction. The ninth of thirteen so named. See note on Title, Psalms 32:0 , and App-65 of Asaph. The third of the twelve Asaph Psalms. See App-63 . Not David's Asaph, but a successor bearing the same name.

God. Hebrew Elohim. App-4 .

why . . . ? Figure of speech. Erotesis. See App-6 .

cast us off. Compare Psalms 43:2 ; Psalms 44:9 .

smoke. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. Compare Psalms 18:8 .

sheep of Thy pasture. Occurs frequently in the Asaph Psalms (Psalms 79:13 ); also in Jeremiah 23:1 .Ezekiel 34:31 .

Verse 2

congregation = assembly. The subject of Book II.

purchased = acquired as a possession. Hebrew. kanah. Compare Psalms 78:54 .

of old = aforetime. Refers to Exodus 15:16 .

rod = sceptre.

redeemed. Hebrew. ga'al. See note on Exodus 6:6 .

This. Shows that the writer wrote while the scenes described were enacted. Compare Psalms 79:0 and Lamentations 2:1-9 .

mount Zion. See App-68 .

Verse 3

Lift up Thy feet unto = Hasten to [and see]. Compare Idiom (Genesis 29:1 ).

feet. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

perpetual. Same word as "for ever", Psalms 74:1 .

Verse 4

enemies = adversaries.

Thy congregations = Thine assembly.

their. Compare "our", Psalms 74:9 .

ensigns for signs = signs as signs [for us].

signs. Same word as "ensigns" and "standard" in Numbers 2:0 .

Verse 5

was = used to be [considered]. The contrast is with "now" in the next line.

Axes. Compare Jeremiah 46:22 , Jeremiah 46:23 .

Verse 7

cast fire into, &c. = cast Thy holy place into the fire.

sanctuary. Some codices, with three early printed editions, read "holy places" (plural)

dwelling place. Hebrew. mishkan. App-40 (2).

Verse 8

together: or, at once.

synagogues = meeting-places. See note on "congregations", Psalms 74:4 . This rendering comes from the Septuagint

GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 .

Verse 9

signs: i.e. the signs of God ' s presence and power, or miraculous signs. Compare "their" of Psalms 74:4 with "our", Psalms 74:9 .

prophet. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for prophetic utterances.

Verse 10

how long . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. Compare Psalms 74:1 . Figure of speech Ellipsis , "how long [this shall last]".

Verse 11

bosom. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 . Septuagint adds here "Selah". If this was in the primitive text, it marks the division of the Structure; and connects the conclusion of the prayer with the wonderful ground of the plea based upon it; which, with (Psalms 74:12 ) and (verses: Psalms 74:13-17 ) constitute the central members and subjects of the Psalm.

Verse 12

salvation = deliverances. Plural of majesty = great deliverance.

in the midst, &c. Compare Exodus 8:22 . (Hebrew. Psalms 74:15 ).

Verse 13

divide = cleave. Compare Exodus 14:21 , describing a sudden vehement act. Hebrew. parar.

dragons = crocodiles. (No Art.) Symbolical of Egypt.

Verse 14

people inhabiting = inhabitants: i.e. the wild beasts.

Verse 15

cleave = sunder, open a passage. Hebrew. baka'.

fountain. Compare Exodus 17:6 . Numbers 20:11 . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 , for the rook from which the water flowed. flood. Compare Joshua 3:13 .

Verse 16

light. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read "moon".

Verse 18

LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Thy name = Thee. See note on Psalms 20:1 .

Verse 19

the soul = the life. Hebrew. nephesh.

multitude = company, or host; same word as "congregation" in next line.

poor = oppressed. Hebrew. 'anah. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

Verse 20

the. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "Thy".

covenant. Compare Genesis 15:18 ; Genesis 17:7 , Genesis 17:8 .

the earth: or the land.

Verse 21

the oppressed = an oppressed one. Same as Psalms 74:19 .

return. Compare Psalms 6:10 .

the poor and needy praise = a poor one, and a needy one will praise.

Verse 23

To the chief Musician. See App-64 . Al-taschith = Destroy not. See App-65 .