Click here to read PSALM 74 in poetic form.
Background
Psalm 74 is in the Leviticus book of the Psalms (73—89). The Old Testament book of Leviticus focuses on matters in the sanctuary: the priesthood, ceremonial laws, and feasts. Almost all of these 17 Psalms mention the sanctuary and God’s relation to it. In this Psalm, the sanctuary is invaded by God’s enemies.
This Psalm has the title “Maschil,” which means instruction. It was used for public teaching and shows the victory God gives through His Messiah.
The title also includes “of Asaph.” Psalm 50 in the Exodus book of the Psalms also has this title. There are 11 Psalms (73-83) with this title in the Leviticus book of Psalms. Regarding Asaph, Nehemiah 7:44 speaks of “The singers: the children of Asaph.” They were responsible for worship in the Temple. For further study on Asaph, see II Kings 18:18,37; I Chronicles 6:39; 9:15; 15:17,19; 16:5,7,37; 25:1,2,6,9; 26:1; II Chronicles 5:12; 20:14; 29:13,30; 35:15; Ezra 2:41; 3:10; Nehemiah 2:8; 7:44; 11:17,22; 12:35,46; Psalms 50:1; 73:1; 74:1; 75:1; 76:1; 77:1; 78:1; 79:1; 80:1; 81:1; 82:1; 83:1; Isaiah 36:3,22.
Structure
(Verses 1,2) Request for God to remember and help against the enemy
(Verses 3-9) The enemy in God’s sanctuary
(Verses 10,11) Request for God’s help against the enemy
(Verses 12-17) God’s great power and ability
(Verses 18-23) Request for God to remember and help against the enemy
Key Scriptures
Verse 2—“which thou hast redeemed.” The Hebrew word for “redeemed” refers to a next of kin in Eastern culture. This person could buy back land, carry on a relative’s family bloodline (as Boaz did in Ruth), avenge wrongdoing, and save those under duress. Ruth 4:14: “And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman [Hebrew word for “redeemer”], that his name may be famous in Israel.”
Verse 12—“For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.” The Messiah, as God’s representative, is king and works salvation for all mankind.
Verse 14—“Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces.” This Leviathan is mentioned twice in the book of Job (3:8; 41:1) and is described as a scaled monster. Psalms 104:26 says that Leviathan was made to “play” in the seas. Isaiah 27:1 calls Leviathan “the piercing serpent” and “that crooked serpent” and “the dragon that is in the sea.” Some Bible scholars say that this is a name for the Devil or an evil spirit.
Verse 19—“O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked.” The turtledove or ring dove gets its English name not from a “turtle,” but from the Hebrew tore-tore. This is an imitation of the sound the dove makes. This dove, which can be found in the wild, is an important part of sacrifices and offerings, and is only used in the Bible in terms of endearment (Genesis 15:9; Leviticus 1:14; 5:7,11; 12:6,8; 14:22,30; 15:14,29; Numbers 6:10; Psalms 74:19; Song of Solomon 2:12; Jeremiah 8:7).
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
