Psalm 74:1-23
Q.1. Do we get any indication about the setting of this Psalm? Why was the writer bewildered? How did he overcome his distress? – (Ps.74:1-17)
The Psalm was written by one of the sons of Asaph (see 1 Chron 25:1-2). It is a lament over the devastation of Judah and the temple in Jerusalem, caused by the Babylonians – They have burned Your sanctuary to the ground; They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name (Ps.74:7 c.f. Ps.74:2-3). He appealed to God that Israel were the sheep of His pasture, whom He had purchased of old, and who were redeemed to be the tribe of His inheritance – 2 Remember Your congregation which You have purchased of old which You have redeemed to be the tribe of Your inheritance (see Ps.74:2). He was bewildered because the enemy had been able to desecrate the sanctuary and raise their own ungodly signs (see Ps.74:4). He still approached the Lord, based on His covenant relationship with Israel, but was uncertain of how long this agreement would last (see Ps.74:9-11 c.f. Jer.25:11-12). Our faith in the promises of God can often be tested when we undergo deep adversity and pain. The psalmist could only find hope in the remembrance that – God is my king from of old, Who works deeds of deliverance in the midst of the earth (Ps.74:12). He recalled God’s great works, and the fact that God is in control of everything – 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 (Ps.74:16-17).
Q.2. How did he view his people? To what fact did he appeal as a basis for God to act? In what way was Israel God’s own cause? – (Ps.74:18-23)
Asaph reminded God that the enemy had spurned His name. He described Israel with the endearing name of the Lord’s ‘turtle dove’ (see Ps.74:18-19). He appealed to God’s Covenant relationship with them and begged that they would be enabled to praise His name again (see Ps.74:21). He argued that Israel was God’s cause because they were His people. He understood that God alone was able to recompense the enemy for what they had done to Israel (see Ps.74:22-23).