Psalms 74:23

Verse Psalms 74:23. Forget not the voice] While we pray to thee for our own salvation, we call upon thee to vindicate thy injured honour: and let all the nations see that thou lovest thy followers, and hatest those who are thy enemies. Let not man prevail against thee or thine.

ANALYSIS OF THE SEVENTY-FOURTH PSALM

This Psalm divides itself into two parts: -

I. The Psalmist's complaint, Psalms 74:1.

II. His prayer, Psalms 74:10.

Both the complaint and petition are summarily comprised in the three first verses; and afterwards amplified throughout the Psalm.

I. He expostulates with God about their calamity.

1. From the author of it: "Thou, O God."

2. From the extremity of it: "Cast us not off."

3. From the duration of it: "For ever."

4. From the cause: "Thy anger smokes against us."

5. From the object of it: "The sheep of thy pasture."

To his complaint he subjoins his petition; in which every word has the strength of an argument.

1. "Remember thy congregation:" Thy chosen people.

2. "Whom thou hast purchased: " By a mighty hand from Pharaoh.

3. "Of old:" Thy people ever since thy covenant with Abraham.

4. "The rod of thine inheritance;" dwelling in that land which thou didst measure out to them.

5. "Whom thou hast redeemed:" From the Canaanites, c.

6. "This Mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt:" Where we gave thee the worship which belonged to the true God and thou wert pleased with our sacrifices and services. Remember this people, and all these engagements; and "cast us not off for ever."

7. Lift up thy feet:" Consider thy own dishonour; they are thy enemies as well as ours. See what they have done against thee, thy temple, thy ordinances. Look at their blasphemies, and avenge the quarrel of thy covenant, Psalms 74:3.

Consider what thou hast done for our fore-fathers.

1. Thou hast been long our King and Deliverer. See the proofs, Psalms 74:12.

2. Thy general providence respects all men. Thou hast given them light; the sun and moon, the vicissitude of seasons, c., Psalms 74:16.

II. The psalmist's prayer: -

1. That God would remember the reproaches of his enemies, Psalms 74:18.

2. That he would deliver the souls of his children, Psalms 74:19.

3. That he would not forget "the congregation of the poor," Psalms 74:19.

4. That he would remember his covenant with Abram, to make them an innumerable people, and a blessing to all mankind, Psalms 74:20.

5. That, when they did return, they might not be a diminished people for their enemies were determined to destroy them, Psalms 74:21.

6. That they might be led from all considerations to praise his name, Psalms 74:21.

At the conclusion he urges his petition: -

1. "Arise, - plead thine own cause."

2. "Remember the foolish."

3. "Forget not thine enemies."

4. They make a tumult, and their partisans daily increase, Psalms 74:22-19.