(1) Overview
(NET) Psalm 74. The psalmist, who has just experienced the devastation of the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., asks God to consider Israel’s sufferings and intervene on behalf of his people. He describes the ruined temple, recalls God’s mighty deeds in the past, begs for mercy, and calls for judgment upon God’s enemies.
(2) Structure (EBC)
A. Prayer for Remembrance (vv. 1–3)
B. Destruction of the Temple (vv. 4–8)
C. Feeling of Abandonment (v. 9–11)
C′. God’s Past Involvements (vv. 12–17)
A′. Prayer for Remembrance (vv. 18–21)
B′. Destruction of God’s Enemies (vv. 22–23)
(3) Repeated words
A. permanently v.1, 3, forever 10, remain inactive v.11
74:1 Why, O God, have you permanently rejected us?
there are no longer any prophets
and we have no one to tell us how long this will last.
(NET) The psalmist does not really believe God has permanently rejected his people or he would not pray as he does in this psalm. But this initial question reflects his emotional response to what he sees and is overstated for the sake of emphasis. The severity of divine judgment gives the appearance that God has permanently abandoned his people.
Reflection: It is hard to understand why God allows suffering and even harder to understand why we need to suffer for so long. We do not see any reason to delay the salvation from God. What was the reason for His people to believe that He would care for us?
B. in/from ancient times v.2, 12,
74:2 Remember your people whom you acquired in ancient times,
whom you rescued (NET God in the role of a leader who protects members of his extended family in times of need and crisis (see Ps 19:14)) so they could be your very own nation,
whom you rescued (NET God in the role of a leader who protects members of his extended family in times of need and crisis (see Ps 19:14)) so they could be your very own nation,
as well as Mount Zion, where you dwell!
74:12 But God has been my king from ancient times,
performing acts of deliverance on the earth.
Reflection: What could help us to know that we are not waiting for some imaginary power to save us is from these Scriptures. God has been our help in the past. From v.12-17 the author quoted what God had done in the past history, how He delivered Israel from Egypt, how He split the Red Sea, killed the Egyptians, gave them water to drink from the stone, stopped the Jordan River and created the sun, moom, summer and winter. No one would trust an imaginary power because this power does not love them nor protect them. However, a personal God loves and protects us and He did that in history so that we can put our heart to totally depend on Him.
74:12 But God has been my king from ancient times,
performing acts of deliverance on the earth.
Reflection: What could help us to know that we are not waiting for some imaginary power to save us is from these Scriptures. God has been our help in the past. From v.12-17 the author quoted what God had done in the past history, how He delivered Israel from Egypt, how He split the Red Sea, killed the Egyptians, gave them water to drink from the stone, stopped the Jordan River and created the sun, moom, summer and winter. No one would trust an imaginary power because this power does not love them nor protect them. However, a personal God loves and protects us and He did that in history so that we can put our heart to totally depend on Him.
Audrey
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