There are no signs for us to see. There is no longer any prophet. And none of us knows how long this will last. We see no signs for usThis phrase reflects a deep sense of loss and confusion among the people of Israel. The Hebrew word for "signs" is "אוֹת" (oth), which often refers to miraculous signs or divine interventions that confirm God's presence and guidance. Historically, Israel was accustomed to witnessing God's mighty acts, such as the parting of the Red Sea or the fall of Jericho. In this context, the absence of signs suggests a period of spiritual desolation and divine silence. The people feel abandoned, unable to discern God's will or presence in their current plight. This can be a powerful reminder for believers today to seek God's presence even when He seems silent, trusting that He is still at work behind the scenes. there is no longer any prophet
The role of the prophet in Israel was crucial as they were God's mouthpiece, delivering His messages and guidance to the people. The Hebrew word for "prophet" is "נָבִיא" (navi), indicating someone who is called or appointed by God to speak on His behalf. The absence of a prophet signifies a break in communication between God and His people, leaving them without direction or hope. This historical context underscores the importance of spiritual leadership and the need for God's voice in guiding His people. For contemporary believers, it emphasizes the value of seeking God's word through Scripture and prayer, even when prophetic voices seem absent. and none of us knows how long this will last
This phrase captures the uncertainty and despair of the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "knows" is "יָדַע" (yada), which implies an intimate understanding or awareness. The people are in a state of bewilderment, unable to comprehend the duration of their suffering. This reflects a common human experience of grappling with the unknown and longing for resolution. Historically, this could relate to periods of exile or oppression when Israel felt distant from God's promises. For believers today, it serves as a reminder to trust in God's timing and sovereignty, even when the future is unclear. It encourages faith and patience, knowing that God holds the answers and will ultimately fulfill His purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. AsaphTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 74, Asaph was a Levite and one of the leaders of David's choir. He is known for his role in temple worship and his contributions to the Psalms. 2. IsraelThe nation of Israel is the primary focus of this Psalm, experiencing a period of distress and seeking God's intervention. 3. ProphetsIn the context of this verse, prophets are those who speak God's word to the people. The absence of prophets signifies a lack of divine guidance. 4. SignsRefers to divine interventions or miracles that serve as evidence of God's presence and action among His people. 5. Exile or DestructionThe historical context likely involves a time of national crisis, such as the Babylonian exile or the destruction of Jerusalem, where the people felt abandoned by God. Teaching Points The Importance of Divine GuidanceIn times of crisis, the absence of God's guidance can lead to despair. This highlights the importance of seeking God's word and wisdom in our lives. The Role of Prophets and ScriptureProphets were crucial in conveying God's messages. Today, we have the Scriptures as our guide, and we should diligently study and apply them. Trusting God in SilenceEven when God seems silent, we must trust in His sovereignty and timing. Silence does not equate to absence. Community in Times of DistressThe communal lament in Psalm 74:9 reminds us of the importance of supporting one another in faith during difficult times. Perseverance in FaithThe uncertainty of "how long" challenges us to persevere in faith, trusting that God will ultimately fulfill His promises. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the absence of prophetic guidance in Psalm 74:9 relate to times in your life when you felt distant from God? 2. In what ways can we seek and discern God's guidance today, given the absence of prophets as in biblical times? 3. How can the community of believers support one another during times when God seems silent? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "famine" of hearing God's word. How did you navigate that period, and what did you learn? 5. How do other scriptures, such as 1 Samuel 3:1 and Amos 8:11-12, enhance your understanding of the themes in Psalm 74:9? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 3:1This verse describes a time when "the word of the LORD was rare," similar to the absence of prophetic guidance in Psalm 74:9. Lamentations 2:9This verse also speaks of the absence of prophets during the destruction of Jerusalem, highlighting a period of divine silence. Amos 8:11-12Amos prophesies a famine of hearing the words of the LORD, which connects to the longing for divine communication in Psalm 74:9. People Asaph, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Anyone, Ensigns, Knoweth, Longer, Miraculous, None, Prophet, Prophets, SignsDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 74:9 4824 famine, spiritual
5450 poverty, spiritual Psalm 74:1-23 6115 blame 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 74:9 NIVPsalm 74:9 NLTPsalm 74:9 ESVPsalm 74:9 NASBPsalm 74:9 KJV
Psalm 74:9 Commentaries
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