Biblical Commentary:What does Psalm chapter 74 mean?
Chapter Context
In 586 BC, Babylon overcame Israeli defenses, attacked Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. This psalm appears to respond to that event. However, this is many years after Asaph (1 Chronicles 6:39), the contemporary of David. Most likely, this psalm was written in that Asaph's style, or in his honor, or perhaps by a descendant who shared his name. Similar expressions of grief are common in the book of Lamentations. Other parallels are found in Psalm 79 and Jeremiah 10:25. Psalms 32, 52, 89, and others are also marked as a "maskil."
What does Psalm chapter 74 mean?
Asaph is the name of a musician who lived in the same era as king David (1 Chronicles 6:39). However, this psalm appears to refer to the Babylonian devastation of 586 BC; that invasion destroyed the temple in Jerusalem. This event happened centuries after David. That this song is labeled "of Asaph" may suggest that it was written in his style. It may even have been recorded by one of Asaph's descendants who shared his name. The passage is called a
maskiyl: the term implies a reflective, somber song, or a skillful play of instruments (Psalm 32:1; 52:1; 89:1).
The song begins with laments: a series of mourning, grieving statements. Another Old Testament book is so filled with these statements that it was named "Lamentations." The psalmist's grief begins with a sense that God has abandoned the nation of Israel. Mount Zion was the location of Jerusalem, and of the temple. For an enemy to conquer and shatter such a holy place would have been devastating to the people. Like men cutting down trees, the invading Babylonians brought the temple itself down (Psalm 74:1–8).
Also painful is that the nation lacks a spiritual mentor. Many eras in Israel's history were tied to the ministry of a prophet or prophets. These include men like Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, and Elisha. Here, the psalmist indicates that God seems to be silent. No one is speaking God's words. No one is explaining how long this terrible time will last. In these moments of tragedy, the psalmist feels as if the Lord is completely abandoning Israel (Psalm 74:9–11).
However, this is only a temporary feeling. Much like another psalm associated with Asaph (Psalm 73:2–3, 15–18), this one recognizes that God is still God. He is the hope of humanity: the all-powerful, all-sovereign Creator. By repeating a list of God's past actions and His powers, the psalmist reassures himself that the Lord hasn't been defeated (Psalm 74:12–17).
This leads to a more confident prayer that God will quickly defeat these enemies. This includes a mention of the Lord's covenant with Israel (Exodus 34:27). This doesn't suggest that God has stopped knowing that this covenant exists. Instead, the psalmist is asking God to do what He has already promised. This, also, is a form of self-reassurance. By crying out to the Lord about the wickedness of His enemies, and His vows to His chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6), the psalmist is also reminding himself of God's ultimate control over all things (Psalm 74:18–23).
