1Maskil Asafův. Proč jsi nás, Bože, nadobro zavrhl, proč dýmá tvůj hněv proti ovcím, které paseš? 2Pamatuj na svou obec, kterou sis kdysi získal, na svůj kmen, který sis vykoupil do vlastnictví, na horu Sión, kde ses usídlil. 3Zaměř své kroky k dávným troskám: nepřítel ve svatyni všechno zničil. 4Tvoji protivníci hučeli uvnitř svatého místa, své korouhve tam vztyčili na vítězství. 5Jsou podobni těm, kdo v houštině mávají sekyrou, 6hned širočinou a kladivem rozbíjejí všechny její brány. 7Tvou svatyni vydali ohni, až do základů znesvětili příbytek tvého jména. 8Řekli si v srdci: „Vyhubme je naráz, spalte všechny Boží svatyně v zemi!“ 9Už nevidíme svá znamení, nemáme proroka a nikdo z nás neví, jak dlouho ještě. 10Jak dlouho se bude, Bože, protivník rouhat, jak dlouho bude nepřítel neustále tupit tvé jméno? 11Proč odtahuješ svou ruku a svou pravici necháváš ležet v klíně? 12Bůh však je mým králem od pradávna, tolikrát popřál vítězství v zemi. 13Ty jsi svou mocí rozdělil moře, ve vodách jsi zdrtil hlavy oblud. 14Tys roztříštil leviatanovy hlavy, hodils ho za pokrm netvorům moře. 15Tys dal vytrysknout pramenům a potokům, tys vysušil mohutné řeky. 16Tvůj je den a tvá je noc, tys učinil měsíc i slunce. 17Tys vymezil všechny hranice země, ustanovil jsi léto a zimu. 18Pamatuj na to: nepřítel se ti rouhal, Hospodine, pošetilý národ tupil tvé jméno. 19Nevydávej supovi život své hrdličky, nezapomínej natrvalo na život svých chudých! 20Shlédni na svou smlouvu, vždyť zákoutí země i pole plná jsou násilí. 21Ať se ponížený nevrací zklamán, ubohý a nuzný nechť chválí tvé jméno! 22Povstaň, Bože, ujmi se své věci, mysli na potupu, kterou tě den co den stíhá blázen. 23Nezapomínej na křik svých protivníků, povyk tvých odpůrců stále se vzmáhá.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 If the historical allusions of
Ps 74:6-
Ps 74:8, &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
2Chr 35:15;
Ezra 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. (Psa. 74:1-23)
cast . . . off--with abhorrence (compare
Ps 43:2;
Ps 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
Deut 29:20, by the word "smoke," suggests its continuance.
sheep . . . pasture--(Compare
Ps 80:1;
Ps 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-- (
Gen 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 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-- (
1Kgs 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 (
2Kgs 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 (
2Kgs 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;
2Chr 36:18-19;
Dan 5:2).
no more any prophet-- (
Isa 3:2;
Jer 40:1;
Jer 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;
Ps 7:6;
Ps 60:5).
12 For--literally, "And," in an adversative sense.
13 Examples of the "salvation wrought" are cited.
divide the sea--that is, Red Sea.
brakest . . . waters--Pharaoh and his host (compare
Isa 51:9-
Isa 51:10;
Ezek 29:3-
Ezek 29:4).
14 heads of leviathan--The word is a collective, and so used for many.
the people . . . wilderness--that is, wild beasts, as conies (
Pro 30:25-
Pro 30:26), 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 (
Num 21:14).
16 The fixed orders of nature and bounds of earth are of God.
18 (Compare
Ps 74:10;
Deut 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
Num 14:21;
Ps 7:16;
Ps 18:48).
21 oppressed--broken (
Ps 9:9).
return--from seeking God.
ashamed-- (
Ps 35:4).
22 (Compare
Ps 3:7;
Ps 7:6). God hears the wicked to their own ruin (
Gen 4:10;
Gen 18:20).