741 An Instruction of Asaph. Why, O God, hast Thou cast off for ever? Thine anger smoketh against the flock of Thy pasture. 2 Remember Thy company. Thou didst purchase of old, Thou didst redeem the rod of Thy inheritance, This mount Zion—Thou didst dwell in it. 3 Lift up Thy steps to the perpetual desolations, Everything the enemy did wickedly in the sanctuary. 4 Roared have thine adversaries, In the midst of Thy meeting-places, They have set their ensigns as ensigns. 5 He is known as one bringing in on high Against a thicket of wood—axes. 6 And now, its carvings together With axe and hatchet they break down, 7 They have sent into fire Thy sanctuary, to the earth they polluted the tabernacle of Thy name, 8 They said in their hearts, 'Let us oppress them together,' They did burn all the meeting-places of God in the land. 9 Our ensigns we have not seen, There is no more a prophet, Nor with us is one knowing how long. 10 Till when, O God, doth an adversary reproach? Doth an enemy despise thy name for ever?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 74:1-10
Commentary on Psalm 74:1-11
(Read Psalm 74:1-11)
This psalm appears to describe the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Chaldeans. The deplorable case of the people of God, at the time, is spread before the Lord, and left with him. They plead the great things God had done for them. If the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt was encouragement to hope that he would not cast them off, much more reason have we to believe, that God will not cast off any whom Christ has redeemed with his own blood. Infidels and persecutors may silence faithful ministers, and shut up places of worship, and say they will destroy the people of God and their religion together. For a long time they may prosper in these attempts, and God's oppressed servants may see no prospect of deliverance; but there is a remnant of believers, the seed of a future harvest, and the despised church has survived those who once triumphed over her. When the power of enemies is most threatening, it is comfortable to flee to the power of God by earnest prayer.