@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, by the word "smoke,"
suggests its continuance.
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).