Do not disregard the clamor of Your adversaries, the uproar of Your enemies that ascends continually. Do not disregard the clamor of Your adversariesThis phrase is a plea for God to pay attention to the persistent noise and threats from those who oppose Him and His people. In the historical context, adversaries often refer to nations or groups that were hostile to Israel, such as the Babylonians or Assyrians. Theologically, adversaries can also represent spiritual forces opposed to God's purposes. This plea echoes other biblical cries for divine intervention, such as in Psalm 83:1-2, where the psalmist asks God not to remain silent in the face of enemy threats. The call for God not to disregard suggests a deep trust in His ability to act and a belief in His justice. the uproar of Your enemies
The term "uproar" conveys a sense of chaos and tumult, often associated with war or rebellion. Historically, Israel faced numerous enemies who sought to destroy or subjugate them, and this uproar could symbolize both physical and spiritual battles. In a broader biblical context, enemies of God are those who oppose His will and kingdom, as seen in passages like Ephesians 6:12, which speaks of spiritual warfare against rulers and authorities. The uproar can also be seen as a type of the opposition Jesus faced from religious leaders and others who rejected His message. that ascends continually
The phrase "ascends continually" suggests that the opposition is relentless and ongoing. This persistence can be seen in the historical context of Israel's repeated conflicts with surrounding nations. It also reflects the ongoing spiritual battle that believers face, as described in 1 Peter 5:8, where the devil is likened to a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. The continual nature of the adversaries' uproar emphasizes the need for constant vigilance and reliance on God. In a prophetic sense, it points to the ultimate victory of God over all His enemies, as foretold in Revelation 19:11-21, where Christ triumphs over the forces of evil. Persons / Places / Events 1. AsaphTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 74, Asaph was a prominent Levite singer and seer in David's court. He is known for his role in leading worship and composing psalms. 2. Adversaries/EnemiesThese refer to those who oppose God and His people. In the context of Psalm 74, they are likely the nations or groups that have attacked and desecrated the sanctuary. 3. The SanctuaryThe holy place where God was worshiped, likely referring to the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been defiled or destroyed by enemies. 4. GodThe central figure to whom the psalmist cries out for help and intervention against the adversaries. 5. IsraelThe nation of God's chosen people, who are experiencing distress and seeking divine intervention. Teaching Points God Hears Our CriesEven when it seems like God is silent, He is aware of the clamor of His adversaries and the cries of His people. We can trust that He hears us and will act in His perfect timing. The Reality of Spiritual WarfareThe psalm reminds us that we are in a spiritual battle. Our adversaries are not just physical but spiritual, and we must be vigilant in prayer and faith. Trust in God's JusticeWhile we may not see immediate justice, we can trust that God is just and will ultimately deal with His enemies. Our role is to remain faithful and patient. The Importance of LamentLament is a biblical way to express our grief and confusion to God. It is a form of worship that acknowledges our dependence on Him and our trust in His sovereignty. Community in DistressThe psalm reflects a communal cry for help. In times of distress, the community of believers should come together in prayer and support, seeking God's intervention. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the historical context of Psalm 74 enhance our interpretation of verse 23? 2. In what ways can we apply the practice of lament in our personal and communal prayer life today? 3. How does the theme of God's justice in Psalm 74:23 connect with other scriptures that speak about God's judgment and deliverance? 4. What are some modern-day "adversaries" or challenges that the church faces, and how can we respond biblically? 5. How can we encourage one another to remain faithful and hopeful when it seems like God is silent in the face of adversity? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 79This psalm also laments the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, echoing the themes of distress and a plea for God's intervention. 2 Kings 25Describes the historical event of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, providing a backdrop for the lament in Psalm 74. Exodus 15:6-7Celebrates God's power over His enemies, contrasting the current plea for God to act against adversaries. Revelation 6:10The souls under the altar cry out for justice, similar to the plea in Psalm 74 for God to remember His people and act against their enemies. People Asaph, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Adversaries, Al-tash-heth, Asaph, Ascendeth, Ascends, Chief, Clamor, Continually, Enemies, Foes, Forget, Goes, Haters, Increaseth, Mind, Musician, Noise, Outcry, Psalm, Rise, Rises, Song, Tumult, Uproar, Voice, WithstandersDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 74:1-23 6115 blame Psalm 74:18-23 8610 prayer, asking God Psalm 74:22-23 5893 insults
8728 enemies, of Israel and Judah Library The Meaning
Of the Red Dragon with Seven Heads fighting with Michael about the new-born Child. The first vision of the little book, of which we treated in the eleventh chapter, ran through the whole Apocalyptical course, from the beginning to the end, and that, as we elsewhere observed, to point out its connexion with the seals and trumpets. Now to that vision the remaining prophecies of the same interval, and of the affairs of the Church are to be accommodated, in order to complete the system of the little …
Joseph Mede—A Key to the ApocalypseThe Prophet of the Highest.
(LUKE I.) "Ye hermits blest, ye holy maids, The nearest heaven on earth, Who talk with God in shadowy glades, Free from rude care and mirth; To whom some viewless Teacher brings The secret love of rural things, The moral of each fleeting cloud and gale, The whispers from above, that haunt the twilight vale." KEBLE. Formative Influences--A Historical Parallel--The Burning of the Vanities--"Sent from God" "Thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Most High"--thus Zacharias addressed his infant …
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist How those are to be Admonished who Abstain not from the Sins which they Bewail, and those Who, Abstaining from Them, Bewail them Not.
(Admonition 31.) Differently to be admonished are those who lament their transgressions, and yet forsake them not, and those who forsake them, and yet lament them not. For those who lament their transgressions and yet forsake them not are to be admonished to learn to consider anxiously that they cleanse themselves in vain by their weeping, if they wickedly defile themselves in their living, seeing that the end for which they wash themselves in tears is that, when clean, they may return to filth. …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Wisdom of God
The next attribute is God's wisdom, which is one of the brightest beams of the Godhead. He is wise in heart.' Job 9:9. The heart is the seat of wisdom. Cor in Hebraeo sumitur pro judicio. Pineda. Among the Hebrews, the heart is put for wisdom.' Let men of understanding tell me:' Job 34:44: in the Hebrew, Let men of heart tell me.' God is wise in heart, that is, he is most wise. God only is wise; he solely and wholly possesses all wisdom; therefore he is called, the only wise God.' I Tim 1:17. All …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Balaam's Prophecy. (Numb. xxiv. 17-19. )
Carried by the Spirit into the far distant future, Balaam sees here how a star goeth out of Jacob and a sceptre riseth out of Israel, and how this sceptre smiteth Moab, by whose enmity the Seer had been brought from a distant region for the destruction of Israel. And not Moab only shall be smitten, but its southern neighbour, Edom, too shall be subdued, whose hatred against Israel had already been prefigured in its ancestor, and had now begun to display Itself; and In general, all the enemies of …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v. 1), that he who prays in his house surrounds and fortifies it, so to speak, with a wall of iron. Nevertheless, it seems immediately contradicted by what follows. For it is explained that this only holds good where a man is alone, but that where there is a community prayer should be offered in the synagogue. We can readily understand how, after the destruction of the Temple, and the cessation of its symbolical worship, the excessive value attached …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Jesus Makes a Preaching Tour through Galilee.
^A Matt. IV. 23-25; ^B Mark I. 35-39; ^C Luke IV. 42-44. ^b 35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose up went out [i. e., from the house of Simon Peter], and departed into a desert place, and there prayed. [Though Palestine was densely populated, its people were all gathered into towns, so that it was usually easy to find solitude outside the city limits. A ravine near Capernaum, called the Vale of Doves, would afford such solitude. Jesus taught (Matt. vi. 6) and practiced solitary …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon then hath the light shined. C ontrasts are suited to illustrate and strengthen the impression of each other. The happiness of those, who by faith in MESSIAH, are brought into a state of peace, liberty, and comfort, is greatly enhanced and heightened by the consideration of that previous state of misery in which they once lived, and of the greater misery to which they were justly exposed. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 74:23 NIVPsalm 74:23 NLTPsalm 74:23 ESVPsalm 74:23 NASBPsalm 74:23 KJV
Psalm 74:23 Commentaries
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